Montgomery adapting to role as reliever

SEATTLE — Mike Montgomery didn’t hit the walk-off home run. He didn’t get credit as the winning pitcher. He didn’t get swarmed with reporters asking questions afterward. But the Mariners lefty reliever played as big a part as anyone in Seattle’s 6-5, 11-inning victory over the Rays on Wednesday.

The converted starter has become an important cog in the Mariners’ surprising bullpen and he was called upon in the latest dramatic win, with runners on first and third and two out in the sixth, after Taijuan Walker faltered and gave up a grand slam, allowing the Rays to pull into a 4-4 tie.

Learning to warm up rapidly has been one of Montgomery’s biggest challenges and he only had time for 12 quick throws in the bullpen before he found himself facing Kevin Kiermaier with momentum suddenly swinging the Rays’ way. But Montgomery struck out Kiermaier, then zipped through the next two frames, as well, to help preserve a worn-down ‘pen and put Seattle in position for its late …

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