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Vargas, homers power Mariners to another win over Rays

Jun 4, 2011 - 5:36 AM Seattle, WA (Sports Network) - Justin Smoak had a solo shot and drove in two runs to back Jason Vargas' first career shutout as the Mariners continued to use the long ball to defeat the Tampa Bay Rays, 7-0, in the second game of a four-game set.

Adam Kennedy had a two-run homer and Miguel Olivo added another solo shot for the surging Mariners, who have seven home runs over the first two games of the series. Seattle has won 13 of its last 16 tilts to pull a game and a half back of first place Texas in the AL West.

Vargas (4-3) allowed just four hits in the splendid start and struck out four.

"(I was) just getting ahead, getting better counts and putting them in a position to swing the bat," Vargas said. "It's always good to get ahead."

Andy Sonnanstine (0-1) allowed all seven runs on four hits and five walks over five innings for the Rays, who have dropped three straight and 10 of their last 14.

Smoak got the ball rolling for the Mariners with a solo shot in the first inning and they the posted three more runs in the third.

Carlos Peguero was pegged with a pitch and Ichiro Suzuki walked to start off the inning. Brendan Ryan then laid down a perfect fielder's choice bunt to load the bases.

Sonnanstine walked Smoak to bring in Peguero before Jack Cust drove in Suzuki on a sharp groundout to first. Franklin Gutierrez lined into the second out of the frame, and Sonnanstine walked Kennedy to load the bases once again with two outs. Olivo singled to push across Ryan to end the three-run rally.

"Seemed like the command just wasn't there," Sonnanstine said. "I think anytime I walk five guys the command is not where it needs to be. I think that inning just kind of blew up on me. I need to contain that. I feel like I never really gave our team a chance to win tonight. Anytime you're involved in a game like this it's always frustrating."

Seattle used the long ball in the fifth to grab a 7-0 lead. Kennedy ripped a two-run homer into the right field seats and Olivo followed up with a solo shot.

Game Notes

It was the 659th straight game in which the Rays have started a pitcher under the age of 30. The only longer streak was 704 games by the 1913-17 Washington Senators, led by Hall of Famer Walter Johnson...Rays have used only 14 starters in this span, fewest in the majors...Johnny Damon had a hit and has reached base safely in 29 straight games -- the longest active streak in the AL.