Crazy play turning point as Mariners tie Angels

 

TEMPE, AZ - Daniel Nava's embarrassing moment turned into a double play during the Los Angeles Angels' 4-4 tie with the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday.

Nava, who split last season between Boston and Toronto, had two hits and drove in a pair of runs. But he lost track of the outs in the top of the fifth inning, catching Kyle Seager's fly ball for the second out and then throwing the ball into the stands.

"I didn't stay up on my accounting," Nava said. "There's a first for everything. Knowing the outs is kind of important. That can't happen in the regular season."

Stefen Romero was near second base on the play and was awarded third. He neglected to return to first, though, and was called out on an appeal play.

"That was crazy," Mariners manager Scott Servais said. "You have to run the bases properly. It was an odd play but he had a great game."

Nava is hitting .619 (13 for 21) with a team-high seven RBIs. Yunel Escobar and Cliff Pennington added two hits apiece, and Kole Calhoun drove in a run for the Angels. Geovany Soto hit a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth to tie it.

"He's really confident at the plate," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said of Nava. "He's feeling confident."

Romero had three hits for the Mariners. Daniel Robertson drove in two runs, and Dae-Ho Lee had two hits and an RBI.

STARTING TIME

Mariners: RHP Cody Martin was extended to 54 pitches as he continues the transition from reliever to starter.

"His stuff wasn't quite as sharp," Servais said. "He got through it and did OK."

Martin gave up two runs and six hits in three innings. He walked one and struck out one.

Angels: LHP Andrew Heaney is feeling better about certain things and said he still needs to work on other things.

"I'm feeling better with my tempo, mechanics and rhythm," Heaney said. "All I have to do now is work on executing my pitches and getting them down."

Heaney, who started 18 games last year, hasn't changed either his mindset or preparation with Jered Weaver and C.J. Wilson currently sidelined by injuries.

Heaney said his fastball was better but not his slider.

"It's a matter of focusing on it, really driving the ball," he said.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Mariners: LHP Wade Miley threw a simulated game against a group of Mariners minor leaguers. He threw 40 pitches, 31 for strikes. ... RHP Tony Zych (food poisoning) returned to camp. ... C Steve Clevenger (flu-like symptoms) remains out. ... OF Seth Smith (tight groin) is day to day. ... LHP Charlie Furbush (sore triceps) was scheduled to throw Tuesday.

Angels: C Geovany Soto was scratched from the starting lineup with arm fatigue. ... Weaver (neck tightness) will continue a throwing program when he can tolerate it. ... Wilson (mild tendinitis) is continuing a long-toss program.

STRONG EFFORT

Mariners reliever Donn Roach struck out six in three scoreless innings, facing 10 batters.

"He's been very good the last couple of games out," Servais said. "That's a positive outing for him. We need more guys to step up like that."

UP NEXT

Mariners: RHP Hisashi Iwakuma starts Wednesday in Peoria against the San Francisco Giants and RHP Jeff Samardzija.