Mariners keep pace in WC race, beat Twins

MINNEAPOLIS — Time may be running out on the Mariners playoff chances, but they kept hope alive with a 4-3 victory over the Twins on Sunday behind a trio of home runs by Nelson Cruz and Jesus Sucre at Target Field.

Cruz ripped a pair of homers — giving him four in past three games and 41 on the year — while Sucre’s go-ahead two-run shot in the fifth was his first of the season as Seattle secured its first series win over the Twins since 2012

With current Wild Card leaders Toronto and Baltimore both winning Sunday, the Mariners math got even harder. Seattle sits at 82-73 with seven games remaining, four back of the Blue Jays and 2 1/2 behind the Orioles.

The Mariners would be in prime position if not for a 2-4 record against the Twins, who fell to 56-100 as they closed out their final homestand of the season. It’s just their second 100-loss season since moving to Minnesota in 1961, having lost 102 games in 1982.

Robbie Grossman went 3-for-3 with a walk for the Twins, while starter Hector Santiago, acquired from the Angels on Aug. 1, allowed five hits and four runs over 5 2/3 innings as he dropped to 12-10 with a 4.87 ERA. The 28-year-old is now 3-1 with a 2.14 ERA in five starts against the Mariners since 2015.

Taijuan Walker (7-11, 4.35 ERA) picked up the win as he went 5 1/3 innings with nine hits and three runs before relievers NIck Vincent, Steve Cishek and Edwin Diaz slammed the door.

MOMENTS THAT MATTEREDHe’s on Target: Cruz …

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