DETROIT (AP) — Robinson Cano homered, James Paxton won his sixth consecutive decision to start his career and the surging Seattle Mariners beat the Detroit Tigers 7-2 Friday night in a matchup of American League playoff contenders.

Paxton (3-0) pitched six innings, allowing one run and five hits, to help Seattle win its fifth straight and ninth in 11 games. Cano and Logan Morrison each scored twice for the Mariners, who jumped a half-game ahead of Detroit in the race for the second AL wild card.

The Tigers began the day a half-game behind first-place Kansas City in the AL Central.

Rick Porcello (13-8) struggled badly in his first appearance since pitching the final three innings of Detroit's 19-inning loss in Toronto.

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