Adam Frazier doubled in three runs during an error-filled, seven-run fourth inning and the visiting Seattle Mariners opened a three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays with an 8-4 win on Tuesday in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Logan Gilbert (3-0) allowed two hits over 5 2/3 scoreless innings. He struck out seven and walked three while throwing 104 pitches.
Ty France drove in two runs for Seattle, which won for the ninth time in its last 11 games.
Tampa Bay catcher Rene Pinto recorded his first major league hit with a two-run homer in the seventh and Wander Franco followed soon after with another two-run blast.
Seattle broke through for seven runs on four hits in the fourth. All seven runs were unearned due to a pair of errors.
The Mariners had two on with one out before Abraham Toro appeared to ground into an inning-ending double play, but everyone was safe after Franco mishandled the flip to second base.
With the bases loaded, Tom Murphy hit a grounder to first baseman Ji-Man Choi, whose errant throw home allowed two runs to score.
After Julio Rodriguez followed with a run-scoring double, Dylan Moore was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Frazier then drove in three with a double down the right-field line.
France, who has 15 RBIs over his last eight games, capped the rally with a run-scoring single to left field.
All seven unearned runs came against Josh Fleming (2-2), who gave up four hits in two innings as Seattle’s second pitcher.
The Mariners added to their lead with a run in the sixth when Moore hit a leadoff triple and scored on France’s sacrifice fly.
Tampa Bay battled back with four runs in the seventh. Pinto and Franco each hit two-run homers against Matt Koch to cut the lead to 8-4.
The Mariners received another stellar outing from Gilbert, who did not allow a hit until the fifth inning. He has allowed one earned run over his first four starts covering 22 1/3 innings.
Seattle catcher Mike Zunino exited the game in the fifth inning with a left bicep strain and was replaced by Pinto, who was making his big league debut.
–Field Level Media
