Mitch Garver delivered the decisive blow with a solo home run in the seventh inning, helping the Seattle Mariners edge the Los Angeles Angels 2-1 on Friday night for their seventh consecutive victory.
Garver jumped on a high fastball from reliever Connor Brogdon (3-2) and launched it into the left-field seats for his ninth homer of the year, breaking a 1-1 tie. Seattle remains deadlocked with Houston atop the AL West for the second night in a row.
The Mariners struck first in the fourth when Jorge Polanco, down to his final strike, ripped an RBI double to left off Angels starter Yusei Kikuchi. The hit plated Cal Raleigh, who had doubled earlier in the inning.
The Angels answered in the seventh as Logan Davidson connected on a game-tying RBI double off Carlos Vargas (5-5). But Garver quickly restored Seattle’s lead in the bottom half, and the bullpen held firm. Andrés Muñoz closed it out in the ninth for his 35th save.
Key Moment:
In the sixth inning, Seattle right fielder Victor Robles made a spectacular catch to rob Taylor Ward of a potential two-run double, keeping the Angels off the board until the next frame.
Key Stat:
Polanco has doubled in five straight games, tying the longest active streak in the majors this season. It’s also the Mariners’ longest such streak since Raúl Ibañez accomplished the feat in 2004.
Up Next:
On Saturday, Angels rookie lefty Mitch Farris (1-0, 2.45 ERA) takes the mound against Mariners right-hander Bryan Woo (13-7, 3.02).