Robbie Ray backed by 3 homers as Mariners beat Rangers 6-2

SEATTLE (AP) — Robbie Ray pitched six strong innings to win his home debut for Seattle, Eugenio Suárez hit a three-run home run in the first, and the Mariners beat the Texas Rangers 6-2 on Tuesday night.

Ray, the reigning 2021 AL Cy Young Award winner, made his first two starts on the road and finally pitched in front of his new home crowd at T-Mobile Park after signing a $115 million, five-year contract.

Sticking mainly to his four-seam fastball and slider, Ray (2-1) allowed two runs and four hits, and struck out four. Marcus Semien had a sacrifice fly in the third and a two-out double in the fifth to cut the lead to 4-2.

Ray’s previous start was hampered by bad weather in Chicago, when he allowed six runs, 10 hits and three home runs. in 6 1/3 innings

Ray got early support from Suárez, who acquired by Seattle along with outfielder Jesse Winker from Cincinnati during spring training.

Suárez took advantage of first-inning struggles by Texas starter Jon Gray (0-1), who was returning from the injured list.

Gray hit Ty France and walked Winker. Ahead in the count 0-2, Gray missed his spot on the chilly night and Suárez hit his third homer this season.

Jarred Kelenic hit his second homer of the season, a solo shot in the second off the right-field foul pole. Abraham Toro hit his first homer, a two-run drive in the seventh.

Gray, who had been sidelined by a blister on his right middle finger, gave up four runs and three hits in five innings.

Drew Steckenrider, Paul Sewald and Diego Castillo finished the six-hitter, retiring eight of the final of 10 batters around a pair of singles. Seattle’s bullpen came into the game owning the lowest opponent batting average at .164.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Rangers: Texas RHP Greg Holland was designated for assignment to clear a roster spot for Gray’s return. Holland was 0-1 with a 7.71 ERA in five appearances this season.

Mariners: Seattle placed C Luis Torrens on the COVID-19 injured list. Torrens is the second Seattle player to land on the virus list in recent days. OF Mitch Hangier was placed on the COVID-19 list on Saturday after he tested positive. In four games, Torrens was 3 for 13, all singles. Seattle selected the contract of INF Mike Ford from Triple-A Tacoma.

UP NEXT

Rangers: RHP Dane Dunning (0-0, 5.19) makes his third start for Texas. He had a no decision on April 14 versus the Angels.

Mariners: RHP Logan Gilbert (1-0, 0.90) takes the mound for his third start of the season, first in Seattle. In his last start against the White Sox, Gilbert allowed zero earned runs in five innings to pick up his first win.

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