Mariners’ demise continues against San Diego, falling 5-4

SEATTLE (AP) — Austin Hedges and Hunter Renfroe hit long home runs, and the San Diego Padres held on to beat the fastsinking Seattle Mariners 5-4 on Wednesday and finish off a two-game sweep.

The Padres swept the interleague season series against the Mariners after taking two games in San Diego on Aug. 28-29. It was the first time since 1997 that either club won every game in a season.

The Mariners have lost 10 of 15 since Aug. 26 to fall out of contention for the AL wild card.

Hedges helped the Padres jump on Wade LeBlanc (8-4) early with a two-run homer to left field in the second inning, ending the left-hander’s 19-inning scoreless streak.

Nelson Cruz homered for the Mariners, his 35th of the season, and drove in his 1000th career run. He’s one of 11 active players to reach that total.

Wil Myers put the Padres ahead 3-0 with an RBI double to right-centre in the third.

Seattle’s infield defence was sloppy again in the fifth. With two outs, third baseman Kyle Seager’s throw on Myers’ ground ball skipped short of Ryon Healy in the dirt. Renfroe then followed with a home run to left, his 22nd of the season.

Mitch Haniger had a run-scoring triple in the fifth, and Robinson Cano followed with an RBI groundout before Cruz’s homer.

LeBlanc allowed five runs, two earned, on four hits in five innings.