Healy hits 2 homers in Mariners' 10-4 win over Indians
CLEVELAND (AP) — No one would blame Seattle’s hitters for being sorry to leave Progressive Field.
Ryon Healy hit two home runs and had four RBIs, Robinson Cano and Mitch Haniger also homered, and the Mariners defeated the Cleveland Indians 10-4 on Sunday.
Seattle hit 10 home runs in winning three of four in the series. The Mariners reached a season high in runs and hit four homers in Saturday’s 12-4 win.
“I’m really excited where this club is and where we’re headed,” manager Scott Servais said. “We all thought we could do some big things offensively and we’re in a nice groove now.”
Healy had an RBI double in the second inning, hit a solo homer in the sixth and added a two-run shot in the eighth. Cano hit a two-run homer — his 100th with the Mariners — during Seattle’s five-run second.
Healy also homered Saturday after being activated before the series following nearly three weeks on the disabled list with a sprained ankle. He was 6 for 16 after having two hits in 22 at-bats before he was injured.
“I’m definitely off to a better start so far,” he said. “I’ve got to continue to build on that.”
Haniger’s solo shot in the ninth was his 10th, tied for the major league lead, and he has 27 RBIs. The 27-year-old, third-year player had 21 career homers in 478 at-bats before this season.
Seattle went 7-3 on a trip that included series wins over Texas and the Chicago White Sox, and finished the month 16-11.
“It was important for us to get off to a good start,” Servais said. “I’m really looking forward to May.”
Cano’s drive to right off Josh Tomlin (0-4), his third homer this year, finished off the big inning for the Mariners, who had four straight two-out RBI hits. Healy, Dee Gordon and Jean Segura drove in runs for a 3-0 lead.
Marco Gonzales (3-2) allowed two runs in six innings before four relievers finished up.
Dan Altavilla loaded the bases with two walks and a hit batter while throwing a wild pitch in the seventh, and was replaced by James Pasos. Jose Ramirez was credited with a two-run double after his fly ball to left popped out of Ben Gamel’s glove as Gamel tried to make a diving catch on the warning track.
The play was originally ruled a catch, but was overturned after Indians manager Terry Francona challenged the call. Yan Gomes and Jason Kipnis scored. Francisco Lindor, who was on first base, hadn’t reached third when the ball was thrown in. He was placed at third after the review.
Francona said third base coach Mike Sarbaugh was waving Lindor to the plate.
“Sarby was bringing Frankie all the way,” Francona said. “It was hard to understand why we would lose a run there.”
Crew chief Mark Wegner told a pool reporter that the placement of the runners is determined by the replay official.
Pasos speared Michael Brantley’s hard grounder to the mound and threw to first for the inning-ending out.
Brandon Guyer hit a two-run homer in the second for Cleveland.
HIT PARADE
Gordon’s four-hit game was the Mariners’ first of the season. He batted .400 (10 for 25) in seven games against Cleveland.
TOUGH MONTH
Tomlin’s early-season problems continued. The veteran right-hander allowed six runs and 10 hits in six innings, and has given up 10 homers in 18 2/3 innings over five appearances.
Tomlin’s spot in the rotation seems safe for the time being.
“If you run too quick from guys, you don’t get the rewards,” Francona said. “Now I understand, at some point, maybe you make changes. But I think if you rush to do that, you can make some mistakes.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Mariners: RHP Hisashi Iwakuma, who had shoulder surgery in September, cut short his outing in a simulated game at extended spring training on Saturday. Servais said the 37-year-old might have tendinitis and will be checked by team doctors. Iwakuma signed a minor league contract in the offseason.
Indians: RHP Carlos Carrasco is expected to make his next start after dealing with a stiff back and pitching only three innings Saturday. Francona said Carrasco tripped on the dugout steps taking the field for the third and was removed after the inning.
UP NEXT
Mariners: Return home to face the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday night with RHP Felix Hernandez (3-2, 4.96 ERA) opposing Oakland RHP Andrew Triggs (2-0, 4.70).
Indians: RHP Trevor Bauer (2-2, 2.41) starts the opener of a three-game series against the Texas Rangers and LHP Cole Hamels (1-4, 4.41) on Monday night.