Field Level Media
Apr 17, 2019
Shane Bieber pitched six strong innings as the Cleveland Indians defeated host Seattle 4-2 Tuesday night, sending the Mariners to their fifth consecutive loss.
Indians leadoff hitter Leonys Martin, a former Mariner, went 3-for-5 with a run-scoring double.
The Mariners' Jay Bruce hit a solo homer in the eighth inning, extending Seattle's major league record of home runs in consecutive games to start the season to 20.
Seattle right-hander Mike Leake (2-1) had a quality start but couldn't quite match Bieber. Leake allowed two runs on eight hits in six innings. He didn't walk a batter and struck out four.
Bieber (2-0) allowed one run on four hits, with three walks and five strikeouts.
The only run Bieber allowed came in the second inning. With two outs, he walked Tim Beckham and threw a wild pitch that allowed the runner to advance to third base. After another walk to Ryon Healy, Tom Murphy lined a run-scoring single to left field, giving the Mariners a 1-0 lead. Murphy had three hits, half of Seattle's total.
The Indians took the lead for good in the fourth inning.
Martin led off with a line-drive single to center field before being caught attempting to steal second base. Jose Ramirez singled to left before Jason Kipnis grounded into a fielder's choice. Carlos Santana, acquired in an offseason trade with the Mariners (for whom he never played), hit a run-scoring double to right field. Hanley Ramirez then lined a single to left to give the Indians a 2-1 lead.
Cleveland extended its advantage in the seventh inning off the Mariners bullpen. Tyler Naquin greeted left-hander Roenis Elias with a line-drive single to right field and advanced to second on a balk. With two outs, Mike Freeman lined a run-scoring single to left and Martin followed with a double to center to score pinch-runner Max Moroff.
Cleveland left-hander Brad Hand pitched the ninth for his sixth save of the season.
--Field Level Media