Associated Press
BALTIMORE — Nelson Cruz wasn’t available, so Kyle Seager assumed the role of big bopper for the Seattle Mariners.
And what a job he did.
Seager homered and hit a pivotal two-run single in the eighth inning to back a fine pitching performance by James Paxton and helped Seattle beat the Baltimore Orioles 3-2 Tuesday night.
Cruz, who leads the team with 20 home runs, was a late scratch with lower back tightness. Seager took over in the cleanup spot and accounted for all the Mariners runs.
“A couple of coaches felt going into the game that Seags was going to be our guy,” manager Scott Servais said. “Sometimes guys have to step up. We had the right guy at the right time.”
Though Seager came through in a pinch, he knows his place in the lineup isn’t cleanup.
“No, I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Seager said. “I like when Mr. Nelson is in there.”
Paxton (7-2) struck out 10 over seven innings, allowing two runs and six hits. It was the sixth time this season he’s reached double figures in strikeouts.
The Mariners came to town with six losses in seven games, and now they’ve won two in a row to open a four-game series against the team with the worst record in the majors.
“We’re supposed to come in here and beat this team,” Paxton said. “We’re doing a good job so far.”
Alex Colome worked the eighth and Edwin Diaz got three outs for his big league-best 29th save.
Seattle trailed 2-1 before rallying against the weary Baltimore bullpen.
Dee Gordon led off the eighth with a double and Jean Segura got his third hit of the game on a bunt down the third-base line. Orioles reliever Darren O’Day (0-2) hurt himself trying to field the ball and was replaced by Tanner Scott, who walked Mitch Haniger before Seager hit a liner to center.
O’Day’s injury was a troublesome hamstring that has been bothering him for weeks and will likely land him on the disabled list.
“Yeah, it’s frustrating,” the right-hander said. “I was throwing well and helping the team.”
In the fourth inning, Seager hit his 14th home run to offset a second-inning solo shot by Danny Valencia.
It was still 1-1 in the sixth when Baltimore used three straight singles to load the bases for Manny Machado with no outs. The three-time All-Star bounced into a 4-6-3 double-play, breaking into a trot long before he reached first base.
“Usually, when a ball is hit that firmly it’s a pretty easy double play,” manager Buck Showalter said. “He just took his time and Manny allowed him to take more time than he normally would. It’ll be addressed.”
Kevin Gausman gave up one run and five hits in six innings. He left with a 2-1 lead, but the bullpen gave it away, leaving Gausman winless in eight starts since May 11.
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