Mariners draw bases-loaded walk in 9th, beat Blue Jays 3-2

SEATTLE (AP) — Jarred Kelenic drew a bases-loaded walk in the ninth inning, and the Seattle Mariners beat the Toronto Blue Jays 3-2 on Friday night for their third straight win.

Kyle Seager and Abraham Toro sparked the winning rally with two-out walks against Adam Cimber (2-4). Luis Torrens reached when his comebacker glanced off the top of Cimber’s glove, loading the bases.

Brad Hand then came in and walked Kelenic on four straight pitches, sending the Mariners to their fourth win in five games overall.

Seattle’s last 10 games have been decided by two or fewer runs, one off the team record set in 2005. It was Toronto’s second straight loss.

Drew Steckenrider (5-2) pitched the ninth for the win.

The Blue Jays appeared to take the lead in the top of the ninth when pinch-runner Breyvic Valera tagged up from third and slid safely under Ty France’s throw from foul territory behind first base. But the call was overturned when a replay review showed Tom Murphy’s tag caught Valera’s back before he touched home.

Kelenic doubled to lead off the third and Murphy followed with a homer to left field. Two outs later, Robbie Ray gave up back-to-back singles, but he escaped the threat by striking out Seager.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. tied it an inning later with a two-run single, and Ray worked seven innings with some defensive help.

Ray got a double play from Gurriel, who knocked down Kelenic’s liner up the first-base line in the fourth, tagged the bag and then made the throw to second.

Center fielder George Springer made two big plays, taking an extra-base hit away from Torrens in the fourth when he crashed into the wall and flagging down a Toro fly to the right-field gap.

Chris Flexen pitched six innings of two-run ball for Seattle. Mariners starters have given up three or fewer runs in 13 consecutive starts since July 31.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Blue Jays: Manager Charlie Montoyo said he hoped to keep OF Corey Dickerson off the injured list after pulling him from the lineup with a tight back. He said he hoped the problem would work itself out by Saturday. … SS Bo Bichette (left shin bruise) returned to the lineup.

Mariners: CF Kyle Lewis (right meniscus tear) took batting practice with the team for the first time since going on the injured list June 1. Manager Scott Servais has said Lewis is likely to play again this season.

UP NEXT

Blue Jays: LHP Hyun Jin Ryu (11-5, 3.62 ERA) makes his second career start against the Mariners.

Mariners: LHP Yusei Kikuchi (7-6, 3.73 ERA) looks for his 14th quality start this season.

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Chris Talbott, The Associated Press