After getting swept at home by the Chicago White Sox, the Seattle Mariner really need a morale boost. They got it in the first game of their road trip, as they bested a formidable Detroit Tigers by a final score of 7-4.
The M's got the scoring started right away, when Jesus Montero singled home Chone Figgins in the top of the first inning. Seattle managed to stretch their lead to 4-0 in the top of the third, on RBI hits by Kyle Seager and Michael Saunders.
The Tigers got a run back in the bottom of the third on a Brennan Boesch RBI single and cut the lead to 4-3 with a two-run Alex Avila homer in the bottom of the fourth.
The teams each added a run in the fifth inning. Miguel Olivo brought Kyle Seager home on a fielder's choice RBI in the top of the inning and Miguel Cabrera hit a solo shot in the bottom of the frame, but 5-4 was as close as the Tigers would get.
The Mariners tacked on insurance runs with an Alex Liddi home run in the top of the seventh and a Saunders RBI double in the top of the ninth. Brandon League came on for the save and after issuing a leadoff walk, retired the next three batters to seal the win.
Jason Vargas improved his record to 3-1 in 2012, as he went six innings, allowing all four runs on six hits and a walk. Three of those four runs came on Detroit round-trippers. Liddi and Ichiro Suzuki each had three-hit games and every starter reached base at least once as the M's put together 15 hits and drew three walks.
Hopefully this was the confidence-builder the offense needed. It would be unfortunate if they've already used up all the runs they were planning to score on this road trip.
For all news and information regarding the Seattle Mariners, please visit Lookout Landing. For updates and perspective on the Detroit Tigers, head on over to Bless You Boys or check out SB Nation Detroit.
