SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Mariners tied Texas for the AL West lead, beating the Kansas City Royals 7-5 on Friday night behind Eugenio Suarez’s three hits and three RBIs that included go-ahead, two-run single in the fourth inning.
Seattle was 10 games out of first at 47-48 before play on July 20, but the Mariners have gone on a 25-8 run. At 128 games into the season, this is the latest the Mariners have had a share of first place since 2003.
Kansa City led 3-2 before Suarez’s fourth-inning single. Seattle built a 6-3 lead in the fifth when Teoscar Hernandez scored on Austin Cox’s wild pitch, and Josh Rojas had an RBI single.
Kyle Isbel cut the gap to 6-5 with a two-run homer in the seventh against Matt Brash. Suarez hit a run-scoring double in the eighth against Taylor Hearn.
Andres Munoz allowed a single and walk in the ninth, then retired Maikel Garcia on a groundout. Bobby Witt Jr. was intentionally walked with two outs, loading the bases, and Munoz struck out pinch-hitter Freddy Fermin for his ninth save in 13 chances.
Isaiah Campbell (4-0), the second of seven Seattle pitchers, threw a hitless fifth.
Kansas City dropped to a major league-worst 18-49 on the road and is 1-82 this year when trailing entering the ninth.
Royals starter Brady Singer (8-10) gave up four runs and nine hits in four innings.
J.P. Crawford homered leading off the bottom of the first and Cal Raleigh singled home a run for a 2-0 lead.
Kansas City went ahead 3-2 in the second when Nelson Velazquez hit an RBI single, MJ Melendez scored on a throwing error by starter Bryce Miller and Ibel hit a run-scoring single. Drew Waters tried to score from second on Isbel’s hit but was thrown out by left fielder Dominic Canzone.
MOVES
Royals: RHP Taylor Clark was placed on the family medical emergency list and RHP Collin Snider was recalled from Triple-A Omaha.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Mariners: OF Jarred Kelenic (broken foot) will begin a rehab assignment next week in Triple-A Tacoma, with a projected return to game action of mid-September … RHP Emerson Hancock (shoulder) was diagnosed with a grade 1-plus shoulder strain, with no tear or structural damage. He received a platelet rich plasma injection.
Royals: INF Nick Pratto (groin strain) had a setback on his rehab assignment and will be evaluated on Monday … LHP Jake Brentz had a season-ending lat strain while on his rehab assignment from Tommy John surgery.
UP NEXT
RHP Logan Gilbert (11-5, 3.77 ERA) will pitch for the Mariners on Saturday against Royals RHP Jordan Lyles (3-14, 6.20 ERA).
