Nelson Velazquez hit a three-run homer with two outs in the top of the seventh inning as the Kansas City Royals defeated the host Seattle Mariners 4-2 on Tuesday night, evening their three-game series at one apiece.
Luke Raley and Mitch Haniger hit solo shots to account for Seattle’s two runs.
Royals starter Michael Wacha (3-4) allowed one run on three hits over six innings to get the victory. He walked two and fanned seven, one strikeout shy of his season high.
Kansas City’s James McArthur struck out Cal Raleigh with runners on the corners for the final out of the eighth inning. McArthur then worked the ninth, earning his 10th save of the season despite allowing Haniger’s homer to right with one out in the inning.
Mariners right-hander Logan Gilbert (3-2) recorded a quality start but still came away with a loss. Gilbert gave up three runs on four hits in 6 2/3 innings, with three walks and seven strikeouts.
The Mariners took a 1-0 lead with two outs in the bottom of the fourth, as Raley hit a solo home run down the right field line. It was the second consecutive night Raley homered, and this time he took care of the team’s celebratory trident, which fell apart in his hands on Monday night.
Gilbert held the Royals scoreless on just three hits through six innings before faltering in the seventh.
Bobby Witt Jr. drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second when Vinnie Pasquantino grounded out to the right side of the infield. The Mariners intentionally walked Salvador Perez, putting the go-ahead run on base.
It seemed like the move would pay off when Gilbert struck out Michael Massey, but Velazquez then lined a 1-0 slider into the Royals’ bullpen in left-center field to make it 3-1.
Kansas City tacked on a run in the eighth against reliever Trent Thornton. Hunter Renfroe drew a leadoff walk and was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Garrett Hampson. Maikel Garcia then lined a single to left to score Renfroe.
