DETROIT — The Seattle Mariners were at a loss from the start Thursday.
Pitcher Adrian Sampson exited with discomfort in his right elbow while warming up for the first inning and Seattle wound up dropping its sixth in a row, 5-4 to Detroit in 10 innings.
Sampson will be evaluated back in Seattle.
“Was no pop or anything, just a little discomfort. Felt it was best if I just come out of the game,” Sampson said.
Reliever Vidal Nuno started for the Mariners and pitched into the fourth. Seattle used six pitchers overall.
Nelson Cruz homered twice and Chris Iannetta and Leonys Martin later hit back-to-back drives for the Mariners.
Seattle put a runner on third with no outs in the 10th, but stranded him. Robinson Cano struck out to end the inning.
The Tigers got the winning run in the bottom half when pinch runner Cameron Maybin easily scored on a bases-loaded wild pitch by Steve Cishek with two outs.
“That’s the way it goes,” Cishek said. “It’s just embarrassing to give it away like that. Rather have him put in play.”
Detroit swept a four-game set from Seattle for the first time since August 1980 at Tiger Stadium.
Steven Moya drew a one-out walk from Cishek (2-4) in the 10th and Maybin pinch ran. Pinch hitter Victor Martinez singled, with an error by left fielder Seth Smith on the play putting runners on second and third. After an intentional walk to load the bases, Andrew Romine struck out.
Cishek then threw a pitch that bounced over Iannetta’s glove to the on-deck circle and Maybin breezed home before the catcher could make a play.
Kyle Ryan (3-2), who worked out of a bases-loaded jam Wednesday night, earned the win.
Cruz snapped an 0-for-8 rut with a fourth-inning homer off Daniel Norris for the Mariners’ first run of the game.
Cruz connected on the first pitch he saw from reliever Bruce Rondon in the sixth for his 18th home run, tying it at 4.
It marked Cruz’s 19th career multihomer game and his his second of the season. His last was June 7 against Cleveland.
“Nelly had a good day,” manager Scott Servais said. “He looked a little fresher after the off day.”
James McCann homered for the Tigers.
Norris made his first start of the season for Detroit and gave up three runs, all on solo homers, in five innings.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Servais said RHP Wade Miley (left shoulder impingement), who went on the disabled list on June 13, would be ready to pitch as soon as the 15 days are up.
UP NEXT
With Taijuan Walker dealing with right foot problems, Seattle has not officially announced a starter for Friday night’s game against St. Louis.
