Mariners rally for wild 8-7 win over Twins

[August 06, 2008]  SEATTLE (AP) -- Raul Ibanez drove in five more runs and the Mariners rallied in the bottom of the eighth off Twins closer Joe Nathan for an 8-7 win Tuesday night, dropping Minnesota out of first in the AL Central.

Jose Lopez lined a two-out, two-run double off Nathan to help Seattle retake the lead after the Mariners' 6-3 lead evaporated in the top of the eighth.

The Twins scored four times in the eighth, capped by pinch-hitter Mike Lamb's own two-out, two-run double off Seattle closer J.J. Putz to take a 7-6 lead.

But that advantage was short-lived as the Twins' bullpen again melted down on the road. Ichiro Suzuki led off the bottom of the eight with a single off Matt Guerrier (6-5) and after a pop up, Raul Ibanez dribbled his third hit of the night into right field.

Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire went to closer Joe Nathan for the final five outs. Nathan got a line out from Adrian Beltre, before Lopez lined a 3-2 pitch into left-center. Suzuki easily scored and Ibanez frantically raced around from first ahead of Brendan Harris' relay throw to the plate for the go-ahead run. It was Nathan's third blown save of the season, and first since June 14.

Putz (4-4) struck out the first two batters of the ninth, before walking Justin Morneau. Jason Kubel, who homered twice earlier, then doubled into the left field corner, but Morneau was held at third as Ibanez quickly raced over to field the ball. Delmon Young was intentionally walked, and pinch-hitter Mike Redmond flew out to Suzuki to finish off the back-and-forth night.

Ibanez's game-winning run capped another huge night for the Mariners left fielder, who was almost traded to Toronto at last week's trade deadline. Ibanez ripped a three-run homer in the third, added a two-run single in the sixth and has 14 RBIs in his last three games, tying a franchise mark previously held by Ken Griffey Jr.

Ibanez had six RBIs in Seattle's 10-run seventh inning on Monday night.

The performance from Ibanez seemed to set up Seattle for a sure victory, until Minnesota's stunning rally in the top of the eighth. It started with Morneau's one-out double over the glove of a leaping Suzuki in right. Kubel then followed with his second homer of the night, a two-run shot off Seattle reliever Cesar Jimenez that pulled Minnesota within 6-5. Kubel hit a solo homer in the sixth off Seattle starter R.A. Dickey.

Jimenez was lifted for Roy Corcoran, who got the second out of the inning, but Corcoran allowed consecutive singles to Brian Buscher and Brendan Harris. Seattle manager Jim Riggleman went to Putz, who regained his spot as Seattle's full-time closer on Tuesday when the Mariners sent Brandon Morrow to Triple-A to begin his conversion to being a starter.

Ahead in the count 2-0, Lamb lined Putz's pitch off the wall in right-center. It was just his second hit this season as a pinch-hitter.

Minnesota starter Scott Baker ran into problems with one out in the sixth. He gave up a season-high six earned runs, struck out four and walked two in the no decision.

Dickey pitched seven solid innings, putting himself in line for a second consecutive win, but was not part of the decision. The Twins scored twice off the knuckleballer in the second, but Dickey settled down to scatter eight hits and strike out three.

Seattle's Wladimir Balentien added a sacrifice fly after being called up from Triple-A Tacoma on Tuesday when light-hitting designated hitter Jose Vidro was designated for assignment.

Notes: Suzuki extended his hitting streak to 11 games. ... Injured Twins' OF Michael Cuddyer was scheduled to begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday, but the game was postponed. ... The Mariners designated two sections of Safeco Field as "Peanut Free Zones" for Tuesday's game. The move was made for children and adults who have peanut allergies.

[Associated Press; By TIM BOOTH]

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