The Seattle Mariners played the rubber match of their three-game series against the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday night. When the smoke cleared, the M's had managed a 2-1 victory to take the series and improve their 2012 record against the Tigers to 5-1.
The Mariners scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning, when Kyle Seager hit his 10th double of the year to drive in Ichiro Suzuki. The RBI came with two outs, making it the 13th two-out RBI of the season for Seager.
Austin Jackson tied things up 1-1 in the top of the sixth inning with a sacrifice fly, but the deciding run came in the bottom of the eighth. Michael Saunders led off the Mariners' half of the eighth with a double and was sacrificed to third base by Chone Figgins. John Jaso then hit a single to drive in Saunders with the go-ahead run, although he was thrown out trying to stretch the hit into a double.
Brandon League came in to close things out and although he issued a leadoff walk, a double-play grounder allowed him to face just three batters for his eighth save of the season.
Both starting pitchers were superb. Drew Smyly held the Mariners to just two hits and two walks over six innings, while Jason Vargas picked up his fourth win by going eight strong. Vargas allowed five hits and walked none, while striking out six.
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.
