Rookie Colt Emerson hit a solo homer in the third for American League West-leading Seattle, which moved back above .500 by winning the series opener. It was the Mariners’ 12th straight game scoring three runs or fewer.
Luis Castillo (3-6) worked six innings, giving up one run on four hits to earn his first win as a starter since May 14. The right-hander struck out four and walked one in a tidy 91-pitch performance, throwing 62 strikes.
Andres Munoz pitched a clean ninth for his 15th save in 20 opportunities. Seattle’s pitchers retired the final 15 Cleveland hitters to wrap up the victory.
Rookie Kahlil Watson provided the Guardians’ lone run in the first, doubling home Kyle Manzardo. Watson, batting cleanup, has seven RBIs in his last four games after starting his career 0-for-12.
Tim Herrin (0-3) walked Cal Raleigh and Dominic Canzone upon entering the game, then gave up Crawford’s two-out hit in his lone inning of relief. The lefty is 0-2 with a 6.00 ERA in his last 15 appearances.
Crawford gave Seattle a 2-1 lead in the seventh with a single that scored Raleigh. Second baseman Travis Bazzana covered ground up the middle to grab the grounder, but couldn’t make a clean exchange out of his glove to throw to first.
Rodriguez extended the Mariners’ advantage to two in the eighth by singling off rookie Daniel Espino, bringing home Emerson with his second run of the evening.
Guardians starter Joey Cantillo matched his season high with nine strikeouts in six innings, allowing one run on two hits with two walks.
Cooper Ingle made his major league debut for Cleveland, going 0-for-2 with a walk. He batted fifth as the designated hitter following his pregame promotion from Triple-A Columbus.
