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 Young tossed six scoreless innings as the Mariners cruised to an
8-1 victory over the sloppy Detroit Tigers on Sunday afternoon at
Comerica Park. By taking two of three games in the series, the
Mariners (67-56) passed the Tigers (66-56) in the chase for the
second American League wild-card spot.
"We came in and did what we wanted to do and that was win the
series," Seattle manager Lloyd McClendon said. "Your objective is to
win the series, and we put ourselves in position by winning the
first game. It was a good day all around."
Young (12-6) allowed four hits and struck out four while winning his
fourth consecutive decision. Young, who is 7-2 with a 2.46 ERA in
his last 12 starts, tied his career high in victories.
"They're all big ones at this point, regardless of who we're
playing," Young said. "Obviously, they have a great team, a team
that's had a lot of success and has been where we want to go. To
come in here and win two of three was big."
Seattle's offense was humming from the start, as it scored twice in
the first inning and never looked back. Third baseman Kyle Seager
drove in three runs, second baseman Robinson Cano scored three runs
and right fielder Chris Denorfia added three hits and an RBI.
 Young hasn't won this many games since 2005, when he played for San
Diego.
"We won the game. That's all I care about," he said. "I'm happy to
contribute to a team win. The guys came out ready to go and gave me
some room for error. It allowed me to be aggressive out there."
McClendon was ejected for the second straight game. Third base
umpire Tony Randazzo, who also tossed McClendon on Saturday, ejected
him in the seventh on Sunday after the Mariners lost an appeal on a
check swing.
"He said I put my hand up," a baffled McClendon said. "That's a good
one."
Detroit rookie starter Robbie Ray (1-3) was charged with the loss
after giving up four runs (three earned) and seven hits in five
innings. First baseman Victor Martinez had two hits, including an
RBI double. The Tigers (66-56) made three errors and allowed four
unearned runs.
Detroit has lost nine of its last 14.
"Nobody likes losing, especially on this team," Tigers catcher Alex
Avila said. "We've gotten real used to winning in this organization.
When you lose, you're always frustrated, whether it's now or in
April. We've just got to play better."
The Tigers only managed five hits and went 0-for-9 with runners in
scoring position.
"Young pitched well but it wasn't all Chris Young," Tigers manager
Brad Ausmus said. "We've got to do a better job as a group, focusing
on every at-bat. We've really got to have better at-bats, up and
down the lineup."
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Seattle scored twice in the first inning on designated hitter Kendrys
Morales' RBI single and Seager's sacrifice fly.
Seattle added an unearned run in the third to make it 3-0. Ray threw a
wild pitch with the bases loaded, scoring Cano, who led off with a
single. The inning was prolonged by Martinez's fielding error.
Denorfia's two-out triple in the fifth knocked in Seager for Seattle's
fourth run.
The Mariners extended their lead to 7-0 in the sixth against relievers
Jim Johnson, who was making his Tigers debut, and Blaine Hardy. Left
fielder Dustin Ackley had an RBI grounder before Detroit left fielder
Rajai Davis, who later left the game with a left thumb contusion,
dropped a fly ball to allow the next run to score. Seager then slapped a
run-scoring single.
Seager smacked another RBI single two innings later.
Martinez ended Seattle's shutout bid with his two-out double in the
eighth.
NOTES: Detroit purchased the contract of RHP Jim Johnson after the
Tigers' 4-2 victory on Saturday night and optioned rookie RHP Melvin
Mercedes to Triple-A Toledo. Johnson, who saved 101 games for Baltimore
the past two seasons, was released by Oakland on Aug. 1 after he posted
a 7.14 ERA. He gave up two earned runs in 4 2/3 innings with the Mud
Hens. "I feel I'm exactly where I need to be to help this ballclub
here," Johnson said. ... Seattle ace Felix Hernandez, who exited after
five innings on Saturday after getting hit by a comebacker the previous
inning, is not expected to miss any starts. "He's probably a little
stiff after getting hit in the hip but he should be fine," Seattle
manager Lloyd McClendon said. ... Detroit gets its first off-day since
July 28 on Monday before starting a seven-game road trip at Tampa Bay.
... The Mariners are 60-17 when scoring three or more runs.
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