SEATTLE -- It took the best start of Erasmo Ramirez's career to get the Seattle Mariners to the late innings against the historically hot Cleveland Indians.

Then to beat the Indians, the Mariners just needed something Nelson Cruz does all the time.

Cruz hit a two-run walk-off homer against reliever Cody Allen and Seattle defeated Cleveland 3-1 on Friday night, just the Indians' second loss in their last 29 games.

The Mariners got a huge effort from Ramirez, who went eight innings and allowed one run and three hits. He also struck out 10 and walked none -- his eight innings and 10 strikeouts were career highs.

He also retired 18 in a row at one point.

"It's so great to be back on the winning side," Ramirez said, a grin stretching over his face.

With the score tied 1-1 in the ninth, Robinson Cano singled off Allen. Cruz followed with a bomb to right field, that center fielder Greg Allen and right fielder Jay Bruce chased for a few steps, before it disappeared over the fence to the delight of the fans at Safeco Field.

It was Cruz's 36th home run to go along with his AL-best 114 RBIs as the Mariners (75-79) snapped a season-worst six-game losing streak. Seattle stayed five games out in the race for the second AL wild-card spot.

"That's what you need to beat good teams," Mariners manager Scott Servais said. "You've got to get big hit late, you've got to make the plays late in the game. Obviously, the last six days we haven't done that."

The Indians (96-58) had been attempting to tie the 1884 Providence Grays' record with 28 wins in 29 games. They fell two games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers for the majors' best record and home-field advantage throughout the postseason.

Edwin Diaz (4-6) notched the win for Seattle after pitching a scoreless ninth. Allen (3-7) took the loss for the Indians, giving up two runs without retiring a batter.

Cleveland's Trevor Bauer was also in top form, going seven innings and allowing one run on five hits. He struck out five and walked three.

"You know, I thought he was really good," Indians manager Terry Francona said of Bauer. "I know he gets frustrated when he doesn't strike a lot of guys out, but he followed (catcher Roberto Perez) the entire way, and I thought he did a heck of a job."

The Indians got going in the third inning with a power burst from an unexpected source when Giovanny Urshela homered off Ramirez for a 1-0 lead. Entering the game, he had been the only member of Cleveland's starting lineup who had not homered this season.

But that was the only time Cleveland figured out Ramirez.

"We had a couple swings early where we just missed," Francona said. "But other than Gio, he really just pitched a really nice game."

The Mariners tied the game in the seventh inning after Kyle Seager doubled down the right-field line. Yonder Alonso followed with a single to right that Bruce bobbled, allowing Seager score.

After a sluggish start, Seattle started showing signs of life with two outs in the sixth. Mitch Haniger hit a broken-bat single up the middle, and Cano singled him to third.

But Bauer got Cruz to pop out to snuff out the threat.

NOTES: Cleveland INF Yandy Diaz was given the night off with a sprained finger suffered sliding into second base earlier this month. "He was ready to pinch-hit last night," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "We're just trying to use good judgment." ... Cleveland UT Jason Kipnis played his fourth game in center field this week. He had never played center field in the majors prior to Sunday, but has 802 appearances at second base. ... Mariners 1B Yonder Alonso saw his hitless streak stretch to 0-for-14 before a single in the seventh inning that helped score Kyle Seager. Alonso's streak had dated to Sept. 14 -- the last time the Mariners won. ... The Seattle chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America gave out its awards, honoring DH Nelson Cruz (MVP), LHP James Paxton (Most Valuable Pitcher) and RHP Nick Vincent (Unsung Hero).