SEATTLE 3 CLEVELAND 1
Even the postgame pie to the face is improving.
Eric Thames earned his second celebratory shot to the face in the last eight days after his tiebreaking, two-run double with two outs in the eighth inning helped the Seattle Mariners beat the Cleveland Indians 3-1 Wednesday for their eighth straight win.
For his on-field television interview immediately after the game, Thames was hit again by John Jaso. Wednesday was a whipped cream pie. Aug. 14, the pie was made of shaving cream - celebrating Thames' two out single in the ninth to beat Tampa Bay.
Kyle Seager started Wednesday's game with a diving play at third base for an out. Dustin Ackley sprinted back to make a diving over-the-shoulder catch in the seventh. Five relievers combined to allow two hits.
Victoria's Michael Saunders hit his 14th homer in the first inning to give Seattle the lead. Saunders has four homers in his last four games.
It all led to Seattle completing a three-game sweep and being on its longest winning streak since taking eight in a row from June 23 to July 1, 2007. The Mariners have won 15 of their last 16 home games.
"It only takes one swing, one play to be a hero," Seattle manager Eric Wedge said. "Everybody is doing their part, it's not just the same guy or same group of guys; we've got everybody contributing."
Cleveland has lost eight in a row, which follows an 11-game skid from July 27 to Aug. 7. The Indians have lost 21 of their last 25 and are 10-29 since the All-Star break. Cleveland has lost 21 of 25 for the first time since Aug. 28 to Sept. 24, 2009.
"It's never been done in the history of the game where 25 guys are released," Cleveland manager Manny Acta said. "They should relax. If one guy is going to go, it's going to be me, not them."
With the score tied 1-1, Seager hit a drive to right centre off Vinnie Pestano (3-1) with one out in the eighth and stretched the hit into a double.
"The ball got there a little bit before and he put the tag down," Seager said. "[I] felt like if I tried to alter the slide and get my left hand around there, that would be my best chance."
Shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera argued the call by second base umpire Ed Hickox, and Acta came out to dispute it. Acta was then ejected for the second time this season.
Jaso was intentionally walked, Jesus Montero struck out and Thames doubled to right.
Stephen Pryor (3-0) pitched two-thirds of an inning of hitless relief, and Tom Wilhelmsen threw a hitless ninth for his 19th save in 21 chances.
TIGERS 3, BLUE JAYS 2
DETROIT - Anibal Sanchez pitched effectively into the seventh inning, and the Detroit Tigers held on to beat the Toronto Blue Jays 3-2.
Sanchez (2-3), acquired from Miami in a five-player deal last month, allowed one earned run and five hits in 6 2 /3 innings. He struck out six and walked two.
Jose Valverde pitched the ninth for his 25th save in 29 chances and 100th save as a Tiger.
