Chen pitches seven strong innings as Royals beat Mariners 2-1

SEATTLE – Bruce Chen scattered three hits over seven innings and the Kansas City Royals held off the Seattle Mariners 2-1 on Saturday night.

Chen (7-5) yielded a solo home run to Russell Branyan along with a pair of harmless singles. He struck out four and didn't walk a batter in his second longest outing this season.

He is now 3-0 with a 2.27 ERA in six career starts against Seattle.

Blake Wood worked a scoreless eighth and Joakim Soria finished it with a little drama in the ninth. Chone Figgins opened with a single and moved to second on a fielder's choice. Soria then struck out Branyan and Franklin Gutierrez.

Soria picked up his 31st save in 33 opportunities. His 31 saves matches Tampa Bay's Rafael Soriano for the most in the American League.