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Dozier homers as Twins edge Mariners

May 18, 2014 - 3:40 AM Minneapolis, MN (SportsNetwork.com) - Brian Dozier hit a three-run homer as the Minnesota Twins beat the Seattle Mariners, 4-3, in the second of a three- game series.

Kurt Suzuki drove in the other run for the Twins, who have won three in a row. Samuel Deduno (1-2) picked up his first win of the season after giving up two runs on two hits over six innings.

Michael Saunders hit a solo homer and knocked in two runs for the Mariners, who have lost four straight. James Jones had an RBI and a run scored.

"We just need to get that big hit," said Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon. "In the last three or four games, it's that one hit that puts us over the top."

Seattle starter Roenis Elias (3-3) allowed four runs on six hits over seven innings.

The Twins jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Dozier led off with a single, moved to second on Trevor Plouffe's groundout and raced home on Suzuki's double down the left-field line.

The Mariners went in front with a two-run third. Brad Miller worked a one-out walk and crossed the plate on Jones' triple to right. Saunders' sacrifice fly made it 2-1.

Minnesota went back in front for good on Dozier's homer in the fifth. With one out, Aaron Hicks and Eduardo Escobar hit back-to-back singles. Dozier followed with a blast to left, making it 4-2.

"Everybody's swinging," said Dozier. "I think the biggest thing is everybody knows their role."

Seattle failed to score after putting men on the corners with one out in the seventh. Brian Duensing got pinch-hitter Stefen Romero to ground into an inning-ending double play.

Saunders homered off Jared Burton in the eighth to bring the Mariners within one.

Glen Perkins worked around a leadoff single in the ninth to secure his 12th save of the season.

Game Notes

Jones has recorded a hit in all nine of his starts ... The Mariners went 0- for-6 with runners in scoring position and stranded six ... Minnesota will send Ricky Nolasco to the mound Sunday against Seattle's Felix Hernandez.