Reid Detmers struck out eight over six innings, while Jose Siri collected three hits and drove in two runs as the Los Angeles Angels defeated the Seattle Mariners 6-4 on Monday night.
Denzer Guzman added two RBIs for Los Angeles, which built an early four-run lead and answered after Seattle pulled within one. Siri also scored twice as the Angels finished with nine hits.
Seattle fell to 70-81 and remained in third place in the AL West. The Mariners dropped 5 1/2 games behind division-leading Houston with 11 games left in the regular season.
Detmers Works Six Innings
Detmers entered the game after an extended stretch of effective pitching and continued that run for much of Monday’s start.
The left-hander allowed three runs on seven hits and one walk over six innings. He struck out eight and improved to 6-8.
Seattle did its only damage against him in the fourth inning.
Cal Raleigh hit a three-run homer that reduced a 4-0 Angels lead to one run. It was Raleigh’s 22nd home run of the season.
The homer also ended a notable stretch for Detmers. He had not allowed a home run in his previous six starts and had surrendered only two runs over his previous 39 innings.
Detmers recovered after Raleigh’s homer and kept Seattle from completing the comeback during his six innings.
Angels Build Early Lead
Los Angeles immediately put pressure on rookie starter Kade Anderson.
Mike Trout hit a one-out single in the first inning. Siri then drove an RBI double to bring him home and give the Angels a 1-0 lead.
Siri remained aggressive after reaching second. He stole third base and scored when Vaughn Grissom lifted a sacrifice fly, doubling the advantage.
The Angels added two more runs in the third.
Zach Neto delivered an RBI triple to extend the lead to 3-0. Siri followed with a run-scoring single that brought Neto home.
That made it 4-0 and gave Siri his second RBI of the night.
Siri finished 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored. His production helped Los Angeles create an early cushion against a Seattle club that needed wins to remain in the AL West race.
Raleigh Brings Mariners Back
Seattle finally broke through against Detmers in the fourth.
The Mariners put two runners aboard before Raleigh drove a pitch out for a three-run homer.
The swing quickly changed the game.
Los Angeles had controlled the first three innings, but Raleigh’s homer cut the Angels’ advantage to 4-3 and put Seattle within one run.
Detmers did not allow the Mariners to build on the momentum.
He settled back into the game and completed six innings with the Angels still ahead.
Guzman Restores Three-Run Advantage
Los Angeles responded in the fifth inning against Anderson and Cooper Criswell.
Anderson left with one runner aboard and one out. Criswell entered and recorded another out before Guzman came to the plate with two runners in position to score.
Guzman delivered a two-out single that brought both runners home.
The hit extended the Angels’ lead to 6-3 and provided important insurance after Seattle’s three-run fourth.
Anderson took the loss and fell to 1-2. The rookie allowed five runs on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings.
The Angels did not score again, but their six runs proved enough.
Mariners Cut Deficit in Seventh
Seattle made another attempt to close the gap after Detmers left.
J.P. Crawford faced Blake Weiman in the seventh and hit a solo home run.
The homer was Crawford’s 12th of the season and reduced the Angels’ lead to 6-4.
Los Angeles then turned to Ryan Watson to protect the advantage.
Watson worked 1 1/3 scoreless innings and prevented Seattle from cutting further into the deficit.
That left Ben Joyce with a two-run lead to protect in the ninth.
Joyce Works Through Ninth-Inning Trouble
The final inning did not come easily for the Angels.
Joyce issued two walks, giving Seattle an opportunity to bring the tying run into play.
The right-hander recovered before the Mariners could take advantage.
Joyce retired Crawford on a line drive to first base to end the game and record his fifth save of the season.
The Angels’ bullpen allowed one run over the final three innings. Watson’s scoreless work helped bridge the gap between Detmers and Joyce.
Seattle managed four runs overall, with all of them coming on two home runs.
Raleigh’s three-run shot accounted for the Mariners’ scoring against Detmers. Crawford added the solo homer against Weiman.
Seattle Loses Ground in AL West
The loss left the Mariners with little room for error in the closing weeks of the season.
Seattle fell to 70-81 and remained 5 1/2 games behind Houston with 11 games remaining.
The Mariners received enough power to stay competitive on Monday, but the early deficit proved costly.
Los Angeles scored four times in the first three innings. When Raleigh cut the lead to 4-3, Guzman’s two-run single restored the Angels’ three-run cushion.
Siri played a central role throughout the game. He drove in the first run, stole third, and scored in the opening inning. He added another RBI single in the third.
Detmers also gave Los Angeles the length it needed. Despite allowing Raleigh’s homer, he completed six innings and recorded eight strikeouts.
The combination allowed the Angels to take the series opener while dealing another setback to Seattle’s late-season push.
Up Next
The three-game series continues Tuesday night in Anaheim.
Seattle right-hander Logan Gilbert is scheduled to start with a 12-9 record and a 3.72 ERA.
The Angels will counter with right-hander Ryan Johnson, who enters the game at 4-8 with a 5.12 ERA.