Mariners breakout win keeps team in thick of Wild Card race

The Mariners win over the Angels last night.



SEATTLE -- To borrow a thought from "The Godfather III" about the Seattle Mariners:

Just when you thought they were out, they pull you back in.

The Seattle Mariners (81-69) went on an unexpected offensive terror Tuesday night, beating the Los Angeles Angels 13-2.

The win secured the Mariners 11th non-losing season since the team's inception in 1977, and only the third time in the past 11 season. More importantly, the victory brought the team within one game of the Kansas City Royals for the second spot in the American League Wild Card with 12 games left to go in the regular season.

The breakout win was badly needed for the team, which had gone 2-5 in their last seven games before Tuesday and struggled to score runs. And as the Mariners have 9 out of their last 12 games against winning opponents, Mariners Manager Lloyd McClendon knows every game counts if they are to remain in the thick of the playoff race.

"The've been very resilient," McClendon told MLB.com reporter Greg Johns. "We had three tough losses in a row and we turned a page. It was nice to see them break out tonight."

The Mariners look for another win at 7:05 p.m. tonight against the Anaheim Angels. For tickets to the Mariners final home stand of the  year Sept. 26-28, click here.