The Seattle Mariners have started their four-game series against the Kansas City Royals on the right foot. On Monday, the M's rolled to a 9-4 win and seem to be enjoying their time at Kauffman Stadium already.
Seattle got started early -- as they tend to do -- and racked up a big five-run first inning against starting pitcher Jonathan Sanchez. Casper Wells hit a three-run homer and Justin Smoak added a two-run bomb before Sanchez managed to record an out in the game. Wells added a two-run RBI triple with one out in the second inning to make it 7-0 Mariners.
Sanchez only lasted 1.1 innings, giving up seven runs on seven hits and a walk.
The Royals cut the lead to 7-3 in the bottom of the third inning, as Salvador Perez and Billy Butler hit home runs off of Jason Vargas. Those would be the only runs Vargas would give up in six innings of work.
Ichiro Suzuki hit an RBI triple in the fourth inning and Dustin Ackley hit a solo home run in the sixth to tack on the final two Seattle runs.
Eric Hosmer managed an RBI single in the bottom of the seventh inning, but the Royals would get no closer. Vargas improves his record to 9-7 with the win. The Mariners' 1-through-4 hitters each had two hits in the game, with Wells picking up five RBI in the three-hole.
For all news and information regarding the Seattle Mariners, please visit Lookout Landing. For updates and perspective on the Kansas City Royals, head on over to Royals Review or stop by SB Nation Kansas City. You can also check out everything we have to offer at Baseball Nation.
