SEATTLE: Eric Thames hit a tiebreaking, two-run double with two out in the eighth inning, and the Seattle Mariners beat the Indians 3-1 Wednesday for their eighth consecutive win.
The Mariners completed a three-game sweep and are on their longest winning streak since taking eight in a row from June 23 to July 1, 2007. The Mariners have won 15 of their past 16 home games.
The Indians have lost eight in a row, which follows an 11-game skid from July 27 to Aug. 7. The Indians have lost 21 of their last 25 and are 10-29 since the All-Star break.
With the score tied 1-1, Kyle Seager hit a drive to right-center off Vinnie Pestano (3-1) with one out in the eighth. Seager stretched the hit into a double.
Shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera argued the call by second-base umpire Ed Hickox, and Indians manager Manny Acta came out to dispute it. Acta was ejected from the game.
John Jaso was intentionally walked, Jesus Montero struck out and Thames doubled to deep right.
Stephen Pryor (3-0) pitched two-thirds of an inning of hitless relief, and Tom Wilhelmsen threw a hitless ninth for his 19th save in 21 chances.
The Mariners won despite getting outhit 8-5. Mariners starter Hisashi Iwakuma allowed one run, six hits and three walks in 5⅔ innings with five strikeouts.
The Indians’ Zach McAllister gave up one run, three hits and three walks in six innings.
Michael Saunders put the Mariners ahead in the first with his 14th home run of the season, his fourth in six games.
The Indians tied the score in the sixth when Shin-Soo Choo walked and Carlos Santana singled to put two on with none out. After Michael Brantley took a called third strike, Oliver Perez relieved and Casey Kotchman hit a slow grounder down the third-base line that stayed fair.
Ezequiel Carrera’s walk loaded the bases, and Perez struck out Jack Hannahan on a full-count breaking ball.
The Indians had runners on base in each of the first four innings, but none made it past second base. They grounded into double plays in the second, third and fourth innings, including a 2-3-6 in the second.
