Mariners mowed down by Kluber, Cleveland
CLEVELAND — Corey Kluber struck out 10 in 8 2/3 innings and the Cleveland Indians hit five solo home runs, including three in the first inning, to beat the Seattle Mariners 6-5 on Friday night.
Kluber (4-1) reached double figures in strikeouts for the 41st time and avenged his only loss this season, when Nelson Cruz hit a two-run homer at Seattle on opening day in the Mariners’ 2-1 win. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner left with a 6-2 lead after Kyle Seager’s two-out single in the ninth, the Mariners’ fourth hit.
Cody Allen gave up Mitch Haniger’s single and Mike Zunino’s three-run homer, then retired Ben Gamel on a lineout to shortstop Francisco Lindor.
Kluber was charged with three runs. He walked three and threw 116 pitches.
Lindor, Michael Brantley and Edwin Encarnacion homered in the first, and Yonder Alonso and Yan Gomes hit consecutive drives in the sixth for a 6-0 lead against Erasmo Ramirez (0-2), who made his second start this season. Brantley added a sacrifice fly in the third and hit the Indians’ first triple this season in the fifth. Brantley and Lindor each had three hits.
Kluber retired 11 in a row after two singles in the third. Haniger hit a two-run homer in the seventh.
Ramirez, who began the season on the disabled list with a strained lat, has now allowed seven home runs in 9 2/3 innings.
Baker Mayfield and Denzel Ward, the firstround draft picks of the Cleveland Browns, threw out ceremonial first pitches.
Mariners RHP Mike Leake (2-2, 6.59 ERA) starts today against Indians RHP Carlos Carrasco (4-0, 2.31 ERA).