Pasquantino hits two-run single in 7th inning as Royals beat Mariners 3-2

SEATTLE (AP) — Vinnie Pasquantino had a two-run single in the seventh inning and the Kansas City Royals beat the Seattle Mariners 3-2 on Thursday night.

Bobby Witt Jr. tied the score 1-1 with a single to center field with one out and then stole second base to put two runners in scoring position. Pasquantino grounded a single to right field drive in both runners, with Witt scoring after making an elusive move to avoid the tag from catcher Cal Raleigh to give the Royals a two-run lead.

Seth Lugo (6-5) allowed just one run on six hits in 6 1/3 innings. He walked two and struck out seven.

Lucas Erceg and Taylor Clarke got two outs each, and Carlos Estevez pitched 1 1/3 innings to get his 24th save. Estévez gave up a leadoff homer to Dominic Canzone in the ninth and had runners on second and third after a wild pitch with one out, but struck out Julio Rodriguez and got Raleigh to ground out to end the game.

Jorge Polanco homered in the fourth inning to put the Mariners up 1-0, and also had two doubles,.

Logan Evans, recalled from Triple-A Tacoma, made his first big league start since May 10 and gave up three hits in 5 2/3 scoreless innings. He walked one and struck out three.

Casey Legumina (4-4) walked the first two batters to begin the seventh inning and was replaced by Carlos Vargas, who gave up the run-scoring hits to Witt and Pasquantino.

Key moment

The Royals capitalized on consecutive walks by Kyle Isbel and Jonathan India against Legumijna to start the seventh, setting the stage for Witt and Pasquantino.

Key stat

Witt has now hit safely in his last 23 road games, breaking Hal McRae's 42-year-old Kansas City record.

Up next

Royals LHP Kris Bubic (6-6, 2.25 ERA) opens a three-game series at Arizona against Diamondbacks LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (3-4, 5.13). Mariners RHP Bryan Woo (7-4, 2.93 ERA) faces Pirates LHP Bailey Falter (7-4, 2.93).

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AP MLB: https://www.apnews.com/hub/MLB