Mariners continue to roll, still in first place

 

SEATTLE - Franklin Gutierrez hit a two-run homer in the first inning, Dae-Ho Lee added a three-run shot in the fourth and the Seattle Mariners beat the Tampa Bay Rays 6-4 on Tuesday night.

The Mariners took the first two games of the three-game series and won for the 18th time in the past 25 games. This time it was thanks to home runs from an unlikely duo, both off Tampa Bay starter Drew Smyly.

Gutierrez's homer was his first of the season after hitting 15 in just 59 games last year. Lee's homer was his fifth of the year in limited action while splitting time at first base.

Steve Pearce hit a pair of solo homers and Steven Souza Jr. added a solo shot for Tampa Bay. But those were the only costly mistakes made by Seattle starter Wade Miley (3-2), who allowed four hits and struck out six over six-plus innings in winning his third straight decision.