ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Randy Arozarena hit a three-run homer after Seattle lost starting pitcher Emerson Hancock to a hand injury in the second inning, and the Mariners beat the Tampa Bay Rays 8-2 on Sunday to snap a five-game losing streak.
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Hancock took a 107.2 mph one-hopper off his pitching hand on his first pitch to Yandy Diaz but recovered to throw him out at first. The right-hander stayed in the game and retired Jonathan Aranda on a flyout on his second pitch before striking out Junior Caminero.
Hancock then left after issuing a two-out walk to Victor Mesa Jr. in the second on his 19th pitch. José A. Ferrer (2-1) needed one pitch to end the inning before striking out two in a scoreless third. Four relievers followed, with Andrés Muñoz pitching the ninth to close it out.
Seattle took a 3-0 lead against Ian Seymour (6-2) in the second on Victor Robles’ bases-loaded sacrifice fly and J.P. Crawford’s two-out, two-run double.
Weston Wilson hit a solo homer — his first as a Mariner and second of the season — with one out in the fourth. Seymour left with two outs and two on and Arozarena greeted Cole Sulser with his 11th homer to cap the four-run inning for a 7-0 lead.
Buddy Kennedy and Crawford had back-to-back doubles off Craig Kimbrel with one out in the ninth for the final margin.
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Diaz singled leading off the eighth against Eduard Bazardo and Aranda followed with his 14th homer for the Rays’ runs.
Seymour allowed six runs in 3 1/3 innings, surrendering six hits with three walks. Sulser got two outs and was charged with a run.
Tampa Bay (57-37) has the best record in the AL heading to the All-Star Game.
Seattle (48-49) lost three straight to the Marlins to start a 1-5 trip.
Evan Longoria had his No. 3 jersey retired in a pregame ceremony, one day after being inducted into the Rays’ Hall of Fame.
The Rays begin a three-game road series against the Red Sox on Friday, while the Mariners host the Giants for three.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
