DETRIOT – The Detroit Tigers, fueled by a Nick Castellanos grand slam in an eight-run 3rd inning, beat the Seattle Mariners, 9-4, Wednesday to get back to .500 at 47-47.
It was the first career grand slam for Castellanos, who's hitting .311 with 15 RBI, four home runs and six walks in July after hovering around the Mendoza line early in the season.
Ian Kinsler contributed two hits in the 3rd inning, finishing the night 4-5 with a pair of doubles. James McCann and Jose Iglesias each added two hits on the night.
Seattle starter Mike Montgomery suffered the worst loss of his young career, surrendering eight runs (six earned) on six hits and five walks. He was knocked out in the 3rd inning.
Anibal Sanchez wasn't great either, but he stuck around for 6 2/3 innings to pick up his 10th win of the season. Sanchez allowed four runs on nine hits and two walks, striking out six. It's the 10th straight start in which he's pitched at least six innings.
Less than 24 hours after Neftali Feliz allowed five runs in a disastrous 8th inning, the Tigers' bullpen pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings, striking out two and allowing two hits and two walks. Joakim Soria picked up the four-out save after getting out of a jam in the top of the 8th.
Nelson Cruz paced the Mariners' offense, driving in three runs on two homers against Sanchez.
The teams will square off for the final time this season Thursday afternoon with the Tigers looking to take the series. Detroit will then hit the road for 10 games on a trip that includes stops in Boston, Tampa Bay and Baltimore.