Mariners 5, Indians 1: Jesus Montero belted a three-run homer during a four-run seventh inning and Felix Hernandez outdueled Roberto Hernandez as host Seattle extended its winning streak to seven games.
Felix Hernandez's bid for a second straight perfect game ended quickly as Jason Kipnis singled on the right-hander's third pitch of the night. The former American League Cy Young Award winner yielded three more singles over the first three innings before settling down to retire 11 in a row.
Roberto Hernandez held the Mariners hitless until Eric Thames launched a two-out solo home run in the fifth. Cleveland answered in the seventh as Carlos Santana, Michael Brantley and Casey Kotchman hit consecutive singles to forge a 1-1 tie.
Brantley advanced to third when Felix Hernandez made an errant throw on a pickoff attempt, but Brent Lillibridge missed a suicide squeeze sign and Brantley was erased in a rundown.
Seattle regained the lead in the bottom of the frame on John Jaso's RBI ground-rule double, which chased Roberto Hernandez. Montero smashed Esmil Rogers' fourth offering off the facade of the second deck in left-center for his 13th blast and a 5-1 advantage.
Felix Hernandez (12-5) allowed one run and seven hits with a walk and five strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings as he improved to 8-0 over his last 13 starts. Lucas Luetge recorded the final four outs for his second career save.
Roberto Hernandez (0-2) worked six-plus frames, surrendering four runs and three hits.
Kipnis, Santana and Kotchman had two hits apiece for the Indians, who have lost seven straight and 20 of 24.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Seattle, which has won nine of 10 overall, is 7-1 on its nine-game homestand and has won 14 of 15 at Safeco Field. ... The first 30,000 fans were given T-shirts commemorating Felix Hernandez's perfect game. ... Indians RHP Josh Tomlin will undergo Tommy John surgery Wednesday and is expected to need 12-18 months to recover. Tomlin went 5-8 with a 6.36 ERA in 21 games this year, including 16 starts. ... Cleveland announced OF Grady Sizemore, who was placed on the 60-day disabled list prior to the start of the season after undergoing lower back surgery in March, will not play this year.
Cleveland | Seattle | |
Roberto Hernandez | Player | Felix Hernandez |
Loss | W/L | Win |
6.0 | IP | 7.2 |
2 | Strikeouts | 5 |
3 | Hits | 7 |
6.00 | ERA | 1.17 |
Cleveland | Seattle | |
Jason Kipnis | Player | John Jaso |
2 | Hits | 1 |
0 | RBI | 1 |
0 | HR | 0 |
2 | TB | 2 |
.500 | Avg | .500 |