Perfect 10: Cruz, Mariners thump Orioles

BALTIMORE — Nelson Cruz homered and drove in a season-high five runs as the Mariners trounced the red-hot Orioles, 10-0, in Tuesday’s series opener at Camden Yards.

Cruz, who played for Baltimore in 2014, had a two-run single in the first inning off starter Ubaldo Jimenez and hit a two-run shot off struggling lefty reliever Brian Matusz. Kyle Seager also homered off Matusz, blasting a three-run shot in a five-run fifth to help Seattle improve to 14-6 on the road.

Mariners starter Wade Miley pitched six scoreless innings and didn’t allow a hit until the fifth. Miley struck out three and held a dangerous Oriole lineup to two hits.

Robinson Cano went 3-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and three runs scored for Seattle.

Jimenez went 4 1/3 innings, surrendering six runs on five hits and four walks, while Matusz allowed four earned runs over 1 1/3 innings

“It’s tough,” Matusz said of his season so far. “It’s frustrating, especially the situation there with Seager, with Ubaldo’s runners on base, you want to get the job done. I think all of us in the bullpen, we take pride in being able to get a job done and so far this year, I haven’t been able to do it. It’s frustrating and things can only get better from here.”

MOMENTS THAT MATTEREDMiley’s scoreless start: Miley labored over 30 pitches in the first inning, escaped without a blemish, and then quickly settled down. He retired eight of the next nine O’s hitters, not allowing a hit until Matt Wieters’ single to lead off the fifth. He finished his outing after six frames for the third consecutive start, surrendering just two hits on 97 pitches to collect his fourth victory.

“I kind of just trusted what [catcher] Chris [Iannetta] did,” Miley said. “Chris did a great job, had a great game plan going in and [I] just tried to execute pitches and was able to get outs with them.”

Middle-inning might: The Mariners sent nine batters to the plate in …

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