Jays’ slide continues as comeback falls short
TORONTO — Chris Colabello almost redeemed himself in the ninth inning.
Colabello’s two-run homer nearly sparked a late Toronto Blue Jays rally Friday in a 4-3 loss to the Seattle Mariners. His long ball came after missing a crucial catch earlier in the game.
Seattle took a 2-1 lead in the fourth when Colabello misjudged a hit from Logan Morrison in right field, which bounced passed the sliding Blue Jays outfielder for a two-run triple.
“Obviously, when it got by me, I was pretty sick about it,” said Colabello. “You get an empty feeling in the pit of your stomach, especially because Marco Estrada was pitching so well.
“But you’ve got to learn from it and not let it happen again.”
Estrada (1-3) gave up four earned runs and struck out five over seven innings of work for Toronto (19-25). Ryan Tepera and Steve Delabar gave up no runs in an inning each of relief.
Colabello also had two singles to improve his batting average to .381. Edwin Encarnacion had a home run and a double.
Nelson Cruz had a double and a solo home run for Seattle (19-22), adding to his major league-leading 17 home runs. He is best in the American League with 34 runs batted in.
Cruz made it 4-1 for the Mariners in the sixth inning, putting a 1-1 pitch from Estrada just over the right-field wall.
Felix Hernandez (7-1) was dominant in the start for the Mariners, striking out eight, giving up four hits and a single run over seven innings. His seven wins leads the majors.
The 29-year-old Hernandez passed Hall of Famer Catfish Hunter (2,012) on the all-time strikeout list, tying Orel Hershiser for 70th at 2,014.
“Tonight he was very determined,” said Seattle manager Lloyd McClendon of his ace. “The sinker was running all over the place. He had a real good changeup and the breaking ball was real sharp tonight.”
Fernando Rodney earned his 11th save of the season, despite giving up Colabello’s two-run shot.
Estrada’s seven-inning performance was his longest of the season as he fights to earn a regular spot in the Blue Jays’ starting rotation.
“Today was just a couple of unfortunate plays or ball hit off the end or whatever,” said Estrada. “They found the holes when they needed to and it didn’t go my way. I thought I threw a lot of good quality pitches today.”