By Canadian Press

Mariners score 5 in seventh, rally past Blue Jays for 9-8 win

Jul 22, 2023 | 5:39 PM

SEATTLE (AP) — J.P. Crawford and Teoscar Hernández both had two-run doubles as part of Seattle’s five-run seventh inning against Toronto’s bullpen, and the Mariners rallied for a wild 9-8 win over the Blue Jays on Saturday.

Once again, the Blue Jays and Mariners played a game of wild momentum swings, clutch hits and big moments that left the heavily mixed crowd of fans from both teams highly entertained.

The teams combined for seven home runs, including each side enjoying a three-homer inning. Seattle led 3-0, watched Toronto rally for leads of 5-3 and 7-4, before the Mariners finally took control with their big seventh inning.

Toronto made it interesting in the ninth with three hits off Justin Topa, including Cavan Biggio’s RBI single to pull within 9-8. Topa got Kevin Kiermaier to fly out and George Springer to ground out with the tying run at third base to end it and earn his second save.

Cal Raleigh homered twice for Seattle, while Dylan Moore and Julio Rodríguez added solo shots. For Rodríguez, it was his first homer since June 24 — aside from the 61 he hit during the Home Run Derby at his home ballpark.

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Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Brandon Belt and Kiermaier all homered for the Blue Jays in the fifth inning off Seattle starter Logan Gilbert. Belt and Guerrero went back-to-back and Toronto took a 7-4 lead in the seventh inning after Dalton Varsho hit a two-out RBI single and later scored when Hernandez misplayed Alejandro Kirk’s base hit.

But Seattle had another rally in order. It started when Toronto reliever Nate Pearson (5-2) hit Ty France to start the seventh and gave up a double to Moore. Kolten Wong followed with an RBI single and Crawford was next in line with a two-run double that eluded the reach of Guerrero at first base.

Yimi García entered for Toronto, but for the second straight night Hernández got the better of his former team. In the series opener on Friday, it was a game-winning RBI single in the bottom of the ninth. Less than 24 hours later, it was a two-run double that gave Seattle a 9-7 lead.

Isaiah Campbell (1-0) picked up the win.

THREE HOMER INNINGS

Saturday’s game was the first in the majors where both teams had a three-homer inning since Aug. 19, 2018, when the White Sox and Royals both accomplished that feat.

ROSTER MOVES

Seattle placed OF AJ Pollock on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain. Manager Scott Servais said the hamstring had been bothering Pollock coming back from the All-Star break and was aggravated while running the bases in Friday’s game. Taylor Trammell was recalled from triple-A Tacoma for outfield depth.

Seattle also swapped young relievers in the bullpen with RHP Isaiah Campbell recalled and RHP Prelander Berroa optioned.

PITCHING HELP

Toronto’s Hyun Jin Ryu threw six innings at triple-A Buffalo on Friday and is expected to join the Blue Jays in Los Angeles early next week. There’s no set plan for his return to the rotation. Ryu has missed the entire season while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Newly acquired reliever Génesis Cabrera is expected to join the team in Seattle.

UP NEXT

Blue Jays: RHP Alek Manoah (2-8, 6.18) will make his third start since rejoining Toronto’s rotation. Manoah lasted three innings and allowed four runs and walked five in his last start against San Diego.

Mariners: RHP Bryan Woo (1-2, 4.74) will try to rebound after lasting just 3 1/3 innings and giving up six earned runs in his last start against the Twins.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Tim Booth, The Associated Press