Associated Press
SAN DIEGO — Streaking Adrian Gonzalez hit a two-run homer and pinch-hitter Oscar Salazar added a three-run shot as the San Diego Padres beat Seattle 7-1 Saturday night, the Mariners’ fifth straight loss.
Gonzalez connected in the first inning off Cliff Lee (4-3). It was only the second homer surrendered by Lee this season — then again, Gonzalez has gotten seven straight hits against Lee.
Salazar hit his first home run of the year, breaking open the game in the eighth inning.
Wade LeBlanc (4-4) pitched his second strong game after a four-game losing streak. The lefty got through six innings, allowing one run and seven hits.
But LeBlanc managed to strand eight baserunners, and escaped a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the first without giving up a run. The Mariners left the bases loaded three times in the game.
Over his last 13 games, Gonzalez is batting .412 (21 for 51) with five homers, 15 RBIs and 10 runs scored. Gonzalez is 7 for 9 lifetime against Lee.
Lee gave up three runs and seven hits in seven innings and retired his final 11 batters.
With the win, the Padres clinched the season series over Seattle for the first time since 2004.
Gonzalez put San Diego ahead with a drive over the center-field wall. He has 14 home runs this season, just five of them at Petco Park.
The Mariners, who have lost eight of nine, got consecutive singles and a walk to load the bases in the first. LeBlanc got Jose Lopez to hit into third-to-home-first double play and, after an intentional walk later reloaded the bases, Josh Wilson flied out.
Ichiro Suzuki got the Mariners on the board in the second when he hit a bloop single to score Rob Johnson, who had doubled.
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