Mariners Get Another Road Win

The Mariners wrapped up a successful road trip today in Tampa Bay beating the Rays 3-0 to finish 6-1 on the road. They are 15-6 in their last 21 road games.

The Mariners now  return home Tuesday night to open a three-game series with a terrific pitching match-up. Hisashi Iwakuma (4-2, 2.66 ERA) and Masahiro Tanaka (9-1, 2.02 ERA), former teammates with Rakuten of Japan's Pacific League, are the scheduled starters.

Joe Beimmel got his first win of the season for the Mariners in relief. Fernando Rodney pitched a 1-2-3 ninth against his former team for his 18th save of the season.

The Mariners scored three runs in the top of the third inning off Rays ace David Price. Robinson Cano hit a double to left field to drive in two runs. Stefan Romero scored James Jones with a ground out to give the Mariners their third run.

Danny Farguhar was impressive in relief, pitching two scoreless innings. Starter Erasmo Ramirez pitched well, but he did not get the win.  He gave up just four hits in 4 2/3's innings, but need help by Beimel to get out of a jam in the fifth.

With the win the Mariners go to 34-29 on the season, just five games behind first-place Oakland and just half a game behind second-place Los Angeles.