With runners on second and third and one out in the eight, Mariners' reliever Tom Wilhelmsen faced long odds in protecting an 8-6 lead as Angels hitters Albert Pujols and Mark Trumbo came up to bat. Wilhelmsen, who replaced Shawn Kelley, calmly retired Pujols on a fielder's choice then struck out Trumbo to get out of the jam. He then returned in the ninth and recorded his first career save and helped the Mariners beat a streaking Angels team in LA.
Mariners' manager Eric Wedge was impressed. "When you're facing those two hitters in that situation, you can't ask for anything more. He did a great job of making them work and then he had to finish it off in the ninth. It was a great performance by Tom."
The game was started by Mariners' no. 2 pitcher Jason Vargas (7-4), who gave up four runs and nine hits in 5 2/3 innings while striking out eight, a season-best. Vargas picked up the win.
On the offensive side of the ball, Kyle Seager hit his 7th home run on the season, Munenori Kawasaki contributed a three-run double and John Jaso collected three hits. The Mariners improved to 25-32, pushing them, at least for a day, out of the AL West cellar.
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