Cleveland, OH – Franklin Gutierrez knocked in the eventual winning run in the top of the ninth with a sacrifice fly to send the 2 win over the Cleveland Indians in the opener of a game series at Progressive Field.
Indians closer Chris Perez (2-6) pitched into trouble in the inning by hitting Miguel Olivo and Brendan Ryan and then was unable to handle a ball hit back to the mound by Trayvon Robinson to load the bases. After a strikeout, Gutierrez lofted a fly ball to center and Ezequiel Carrera had a chance to throw out Olivo at the plate, but the throw came in high and the Mariners catcher was able to slide in safely on a bang-bang play.
Ichiro Suzuki cracked a solo home run among his three hits and rookie Dustin Ackley added a hit for the Mariners, who snapped a five-game skid.
Chance Ruffin (1-0) tossed one inning in relief to earn the win and Brandon League battled through a shaky bottom of the ninth to notch his 31st save.
Lou Marson, who was acquired by the Indians from Philadelphia in the Cliff Lee deal, picked up three hits and knocked in a run for the Tribe, losers in four straight.
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