The Seattle Mariners (57-50) defeated the Tampa Bay Rays (64-43) 8-2 on Monday night at Tropicana Field. The win snaps the Rays win streak at four, and the Rays lead over the Red Sox is pushed to one game in the American League East.
The Mariners took control of this game with a five-run third inning for a 5-0 lead. Though the Rays got a solo homer from Randy Arozerena in the fourth, and a Brandon Lowe RBI in the fifth, Seattle answered with two runs in the seventh inning to keep the Rays guessing.
Michael Wacha (2-3, 5.26) had a rough outing, allowing six runs, all of them earned, on eight hits in four innings of work. Chris Flexen (10-5, 3.75) picked up the win for Seattle.
The Rays now look to even the three game series with Seattle on Tuesday night. First pitch Tuesday is scheduled for 7:10 PM - pregame coverage begins with Jay Recher and the Inside Pitch at 6:00 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620.
PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES