Tigers hold on for 5-4 victory to take series in Seattle

SEATTLE – The Tigers held off the Mariners with a 5-4 win Wednesday to take the rubber match of a three-game series in Seattle.

Anibal Sanchez became the third straight Tigers starter to blow an early three-run lead in the series after the offense quickly put up three runs against Mariners starter J.A. Happ in the 2nd inning. Nick Castellanos got the scoring started with an RBI single, followed by Jefry Marte's first career hit and RBI on a double down the right field line. Jose Iglesias made it 3-0 on a double to right center field that scored Marte.

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Seattle battled back with single runs in the 2nd and 3rd against Sanchez thanks to some poor fielding by a normally outstanding Tigers defense. Marte missed a throw from Sanchez at 1st base to allow the first run to score, and Yoenis Cespedes overran a ball in LF to begin the 3rd inning, eventually leading to Seattle's second score.

Marte made up for the miscue in his second at-bat, launching his first career home run into the left center field stands, stretching the lead to 4-2.

But a two-run homer by Dustin Ackley tied the game 4-4 in the bottom half. It was the 19th home run allowed by Sanchez this season.

Sanchez settled down and lasted into the 7th inning, issuing a one-out walk to Nelson Cruz to end his night. He was pulled after 6 1/3 innings, ending his streak of seven straight starts of at least seven innings pitched.

Happ, meanwhile, was less effective. He lasted just four innings and was pulled after issuing back-to-back walks to lead off the top of the 5th.

Seattle's bullpen held the Tigers scoreless until the 7th, when Castellanos' sacrifice fly scored Cespedes from 3rd base, giving the Tigers a slim 5-4 lead.

Al Alburquerque got four big outs to set up closer Joakim Soria with a save opportunity in the 9th.

Soria got two quick outs before losing the strike zone. He issued a walk to Cruz and then another to Franklin Gutierrez on four pitches, but struck out Mark Trumbo with a changeup to seal the win.

The Tigers will now head to Minnesota, where they'll play four games to complete the first half of the season. Detroit trails the Twins by 2 1/2 games in the wild card race.