Taylor Ward delivered a pinch-hit, two-run single in the seventh inning before J.P. Crawford followed with a two-run homer as the Seattle Mariners beat the Los Angeles Angels 8-4 on Saturday night.
The Angels had erased a four-run deficit with a four-run sixth inning, but Seattle responded an inning later. Ward broke the 4-4 tie against Mitch Farris, and Crawford homered on the next pitch to give the Mariners a four-run advantage.
Seattle also saw starter Kade Anderson leave in the fourth inning after Christian Moore hit a 104 mph line drive off his left arm. The Mariners later announced that Anderson sustained a left forearm bruise.
Anderson Leaves After Strong Start
Anderson controlled the Angels through the first three innings.
The Seattle left-hander completed 3 1/3 scoreless innings before his night ended abruptly.
Moore hit a 104 mph line drive that struck Anderson on the left arm in the fourth.
Anderson could not continue, forcing Seattle to turn to its bullpen earlier than expected.
Michael Rucker entered in relief.
The Mariners announced that Anderson had a left forearm bruise, ending an otherwise effective outing in which he kept Los Angeles off the scoreboard.
Seattle’s bullpen initially protected the lead before the Angels mounted a significant rally in the sixth.
Angels Erase Four-Run Deficit
Los Angeles entered the sixth trailing 4-0 but quickly changed the direction of the game.
The Angels attacked reliever Jose Ferrer and produced four runs to tie the score.
Bryce Teodosio delivered the biggest hit of the inning.
His single brought home two runs and cut Seattle’s advantage in half.
Los Angeles continued applying pressure.
Wade Meckler reached third and scored when Tyler Heineman executed a sacrifice bunt.
The play brought the Angels within one run.
Jose Siri then completed the comeback.
Siri hit a ground ball to third that allowed Teodosio to score, tying the game at 4-4.
The Angels erased the entire deficit in one inning and made it a new game entering the late stages.
Ward Breaks Tie in Seventh
Seattle answered immediately after losing its four-run lead.
The Mariners created another scoring opportunity in the bottom of the seventh and forced Los Angeles to turn to Farris.
Cole Young and Michael Arroyo reached scoring position, giving Ward a chance to put Seattle back in front.
Ward entered as a pinch hitter.
He responded with one of his biggest hits since joining the Mariners.
Ward drove a two-run single off Farris, scoring Young and Arroyo to give Seattle a 6-4 lead.
The hit came during a difficult stretch for Ward following his move from Baltimore to Seattle at the trade deadline.
On Saturday, his contribution arrived at a critical moment.
The Mariners had just watched a four-run advantage disappear. Ward’s hit immediately restored a two-run cushion.
Crawford Homers on Next Pitch
Seattle did not allow Farris any opportunity to recover.
Crawford stepped to the plate immediately after Ward’s two-run single.
He attacked the next pitch.
Crawford drove it into the right-field stands for a two-run homer, extending Seattle’s lead to 8-4.
In the span of two pitches, the Mariners turned a 4-4 tie into a four-run advantage.
The sequence proved decisive.
Ward supplied the go-ahead hit before Crawford added immediate insurance with the home run.
Farris took the loss and fell to 1-4.
Los Angeles had worked its way back into the game with four runs in the sixth, only to surrender four in the following inning.
Mariners Bullpen Protects Lead
Seattle’s bullpen had to cover most of the game after Anderson’s early departure.
Rucker was the first reliever called upon after the line drive forced Anderson from the mound.
The Angels eventually broke through against the Seattle bullpen in the sixth, with Ferrer on the mound during their four-run rally.
Carlos Vargas later helped stabilize the game.
Vargas earned the win and improved to 3-0.
After Seattle regained the lead, the bullpen prevented Los Angeles from mounting another comeback.
Gabe Speier handled the ninth inning.
He worked a scoreless frame to complete the 8-4 win.
The bullpen’s work became particularly important after Anderson lasted only 3 1/3 innings.
Naylor Reaches Rare Stolen-Base Mark
Josh Naylor added a notable individual achievement late in the game.
Naylor drew a walk in the ninth inning before stealing second base.
The steal gave him consecutive seasons with at least 30 stolen bases.
Naylor became the first first baseman since George Sisler from 1920 through 1922 to record consecutive 30-steal seasons.
The milestone came with Seattle already holding its 8-4 advantage.
Although it did not lead to another run, the stolen base added another notable moment to the Mariners’ final home series of the regular season.
Angels Rally Goes to Waste
Los Angeles had created an opportunity to take control after its four-run sixth.
Teodosio’s two-run single started the comeback.
Heineman’s sacrifice bunt brought home another run before Siri’s groundout completed the rally.
The sequence turned a 4-0 deficit into a 4-4 tie.
That momentum did not last through the next inning.
Seattle quickly put runners in position for Ward, whose pinch-hit single moved the Mariners back ahead.
Crawford then doubled the size of the lead with one swing on the next pitch.
The Angels could not answer during the final two innings.
The result left Los Angeles with one game remaining in the regular season.
Seattle Responds After Losing Lead
The Mariners’ decisive seventh inning provided a quick answer after their bullpen allowed Los Angeles back into the game.
Seattle had controlled the early innings before the Angels’ four-run rally changed the score.
Rather than allowing the tie to hold, the Mariners immediately created another scoring opportunity.
Ward and Crawford finished the job.
Ward’s two-run single restored the lead, while Crawford’s home run provided the separation Seattle needed.
Vargas and Speier then helped ensure the Angels did not mount another late rally.
The win sent both clubs into Sunday’s regular-season finale with Seattle looking to close the year with another home win.
Up Next
The Angels and Mariners conclude their regular seasons Sunday in Seattle.
Los Angeles left-hander Yusei Kikuchi is scheduled to start with a 1-6 record and a 4.88 ERA.
Seattle will counter with right-hander Logan Gilbert, who enters the finale at 12-11 with a 3.81 ERA.
