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Kennedy, Mariners sends Twins to 10th straight loss

Sep 21, 2011 - 4:18 AM Minneapolis, MN (Sports Network) - Adam Kennedy's run-scoring infield hit in the seventh inning was the difference, as Seattle sent Minnesota to its 10th consecutive loss with a 5-4 decision in the opener of a three-game set.

Alex Liddi hit a two-run game-tying homer and Mike Carp totaled a career-high five hits -- including an RBI double -- for the Mariners, who have won four of their last six.

Jason Vargas (9-13) worked six innings for the win, allowing four runs -- three earned -- on nine hits. Brandon League worked out of a bases-loaded situation in the ninth to pick up his 35th save.

"It was quite an inning there. You don't anticipate bases-loaded nobody out in the ninth inning and on the road to boot," said Mariners manager Eric Wedge. "League did a great job. All the young kids here are gonna learn from that. You have to be mistake free to win that kind of ballgame."

Ben Revere had four hits and an RBI for the Twins, who hadn't seen a double- digit losing skid since dropping 10 straight from September 9-19, 1998. Trevor Plouffe doubled twice and drove in a run in the setback.

Brian Duensing (9-14) served up the deciding run in 1 1/3 relief frames.

Subbing for starter Liam Hendriks, Duensing walked Kyle Seager to start the seventh and Carp added a one-out single. Wily Mo Pena reached on a fielder's choice to leave men on the corners, then Kennedy's slow roller to the mound was able to plate Seager with the go-ahead run.

Duensing's bad throw to second allowed Pena to reach third, but Matt Capps induced an inning-ending grounder from Miguel Olivo to keep it 5-4.

The Twins didn't go down without a fight against League in their last turn at the plate. Rene Tosoni started with a pinch single and Revere followed with a base hit. Plouffe then laid down a bunt, but League's throw was errant to first, and the bases were loaded.

But Michael Cuddyer fanned swinging, then Chris Parmelee grounded into a force out at home. Danny Valencia grounded to third for the final out.

"It's tough. And I'll take that blame tonight. I didn't come through," Cuddyer admitted. "When you're one of the only guys who have seen League before, you can't strike out. You don't want to get 100 losses. Everybody's got pride. You have to play hard and play to win."

Each team scored twice in the opening frame, with Seattle producing an RBI single from Seager and RBI double from Carp, while Minnesota got run-scoring doubles by Plouffe and Parmelee.

Revere and Parmelee added RBI hits in the fourth and fifth innings, respectively to give the Twins a 4-2 edge, but Olivo doubled with one down in the sixth and Liddi tied the score with a shot to left.

Game Notes

Seattle has won four of the six meetings with Minnesota this season...Carp's previous high was four hits, accomplished on July 27 against the Yankees...Hendriks allowed 10 hits and four runs with five strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings.