SEATTLE — Lloyd McClendon is always looking for a little pop to come from his designated hitter when he sets up the Seattle Mariners lineup.
Yes, even when Endy Chavez is the DH.
“How about Endy?” McClendon said. “That was a pretty good swing.”
Chavez homered for the first time in more than a year and Seattle’s bullpen was again stellar behind starter Chris Young in the Mariners’ 3-2 win over the Cleveland Indians on Friday night.
Chavez singled and scored in the first inning, then ended the night for Cleveland starter Trevor Bauer with a solo home run into the right-field seats with one out in the seventh. It was Chavez’s first homer since May 30, 2013, at San Diego, a span of 265 plate appearances.
“It feels great, especially in a tight game,” Chavez said. “I’m glad to hit a home run in that situation and put us in a better situation to win the game.”
Kyle Seager had two hits, including an RBI single, to continue his hot hitting at home. Brad Miller also added an RBI single as Seattle won for the sixth time in seven games.
Seager is hitting .613 in his past eight home games, but McClendon continues to be unsatisfied and expecting more from his third baseman.
“He’s getting better,” McClendon said with a smirk.
Fernando Rodney worked the ninth for his 22nd save although it was bumpy. Nick Swisher singled and scored on Michael Bourn’s two-out single, but Rodney got Asdrubal Cabrera to pop up for the final out.
Rodney was the last of five Seattle relievers that allowed three hits and struck out four after Young was lifted.
Young (7-4) was done after five innings despite giving up just four hits and one run. The Indians made him work deep into counts and his pitch count was at 91 after five innings.
“They made me work and I wasn’t as sharp as I wanted to be and I was probably a little lucky tonight. They hit some balls hard right at guys,” Young said. “The bullpen came in and did a phenomenal job. Those guys picked me up.”
Joe Beimel tossed a perfect sixth and Danny Farquhar was solid in the seventh, although the Indians missed a chance to keep the inning alive because of a poor baserunning decision. With two outs, first baseman Logan Morrison booted Bourn’s grounder with Swisher on first. Swisher never stopped at second, but Morrison recovered and threw him out at third.
Cleveland threatened again in the eighth on a two-out walk by Carlos Santana and a double from Jason Kipnis. Charlie Furbush got Lonnie Chisenhall to ground out, ending the inning.
“The bullpen has been outstanding. They’ve been unbelievable. You just have complete confidence in all of them,” Young said. “Tonight is a perfect example why. They came in, got 12 big outs and we won.”
Chavez led off the first with an infield single and stole second base with two outs. Seager then dumped a single into center and Chavez was able to score standing up.
The Mariners scored in almost the same way in the fourth. Michael Saunders singled with two outs and advanced to second on a wild pitch before Miller looped a base hit to center for a 2-1 lead.
Chavez provided some cushion with the 29th homer of his career.
It was the third straight start in which Bauer (2-4) pitched into the seventh, but he has not finished that inning this season. He threw 111 pitches, below his season high of 119, and gave up nine hits while striking out five.
“Early he fought his command a little bit, he didn’t work ahead very often,” Cleveland manager Terry Francona said. “But as he got into the game, I thought he got much better.”
Notes
• Seattle’s bullpen has allowed two earned runs in the past 24 innings.
• Cleveland plans to start LHP T.J. House in Sunday’s series finale. House still must be recalled from the minors.
• The Indians hope RHP Justin Masterson, scratched from Sunday’s start with a sore knee, will be able to go Tuesday in Los Angeles against the Dodgers.
• Saunders was activated from the 15-day disabled list before the game following a brief rehab stint in the minors.
• Seattle Mariners minor league outfielders Jamal Austin (Double-A Jackson) and Jabari Blash (Triple-A Tacoma) were suspended 50 games each for drug violations. The commissioner’s office announced the penalties Friday, saying the suspensions followed second positive tests for a “drug of abuse.”
