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Power show, Nolasco fuel sweep of Mariners
- Updated: May 29, 2016
SEATTLE — Joe Mauer and Miguel Sano continued mashing Mariners pitching, and Ricky Nolasco pitched six innings of two-run ball as the Twins secured their first series sweep at Safeco Field since 2007 with a 5-4 win on Sunday.
Mauer and Sano hit back-to-back homers in the fourth inning, giving both a home run in each of the three wins in Seattle, as the Twins improved to 15-34 and matched their season-best four-game win streak. Robbie Grossman also homered for Minnesota, which totaled eight long balls while outscoring Seattle 18-11 in the series.
Coupled with a Rangers win over the Pirates, the loss dropped Seattle out of the American League West lead for the first time in two weeks at 28-21, including a 10-14 mark at Safeco. The Mariners managed just three hits — including a solo homer by Robinson Cano — off Nolasco as he picked up his second win of the season.
“It was a good three games. A good series, good to get a sweep, and hopefully we can keep this momentum going,” Mauer said. “It’s pretty fun when you’ve got some guys up and down the lineup swinging the bats and driving in runs.”
Franklin Gutierrez’s two-run homer in the ninth off closer Kevin Jepsen closed the final margin to one run. Mariners right-hander Taijuan Walker continued his May struggles, allowing six hits — including the three homers — and five runs in 4 1/3 innings. After going 2-0 with a 1.44 ERA in four April starts, the 23-year-old is 0-5 with a 4.91 ERA in six starts this month.
“The home run just killed us in this series,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said. “Both Sano and Mauer had good series. We made some mistakes, and they took advantage of them. I thought Taijuan’s stuff was just OK. He was trying to compete and find it, but he did make some mistakes, and they got him.”
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MOMENTS THAT MATTEREDCano connects again: The Mariners’ second baseman got Seattle on the board in the first with a line shot into the right-field …
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