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Sexson's strong showing sends Mariners past Rays

Apr 9, 2008 - 4:19 AM ST. PETERSBURG, Florida (Ticker) -- Historically, April hasn't been a good month for Richie Sexson. However, this season's first month may be signaling a change, especially coming off a horrible 2007.

Sexson had two hits and three RBI, including a go-ahead two-run single in the sixth inning, to lead the Mariners to a 6-5 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday.

Coming off an awful year in which he batted just .205, Sexson desperately needed a strong showing to begin this season. A career .235 hitter in April, he is batting .291 (7-for-24) through eight contests.

"At home (plate), I just try to do too much," Sexson said. "The last time I had that opportunity, I got too excited about the whole thing. I'm glad I had the chance to do it again. This time it worked out."

After pushing across his first RBI of the game by drawing a bases-loaded walk in the third inning, Sexson worked his bases-loaded magic once again in the top of the sixth off Gary Glover (0-1).

With the Mariners trailing, 5-4, Sexson's sinking soft liner floated just over the outstretched glove of Rays second baseman Akinori Iwamura to score two runs, turning a one-run deficit into a 6-5 lead.

"It's the kind of move as a manager you have to make," said Sexson about the Rays intentionally walking Raul Ibanez to face him. "It's just a good move.

"If I'm managing on the other side with Raul - he's Pacman getting guys off the bases - you have to make it. Two-out RBI are tough. You have to get a hit or a walk to get them in."

Those final two runs proved to be enough for Seattle starter Erik Bedard (1-0), who permitted five runs - three earned - and five hits with four walks and five strikeouts. Roy Corcoran bridged the gap to Ryan Rowland-Smith, who set down the Rays' final five hitters in order for his first career save.

Shawn Riggans and Carlos Pena hit solo homers off Bedard for the Rays, who have dropped three straight.

"He (Bedard) didn't have his great stuff," Mariners skipper John McLaren said. "He looked like he had trouble locating his fastball. He had a real good-looking breaking ball - maybe he was using it a little too much."

In a game that featured 11 runs and four lead changes, the true fireworks came one inning after Sexson's go-ahead hit.

With one out in the seventh, B.J. Upton lined a double to Brad Wilkerson in deep right field. Wilkerson scooped up the ball and hit the cut-off man, second baseman Jose Lopez, who fired to third baseman Adrian Beltre to nail Upton on a questionable call by third base umpire Hunter Wendelstedt.

"It was a great relay," McLaren said. "I thought the play that Beltre made was incredible. We really have good defense."

Much like a catcher defending home plate, Beltre protected his base by extending his leg to block Upton's slide. However, it appeared at the last moment that Beltre lifted his leg from beside the base to collect the relay throw.

With Upton representing the potential tying run, the call brought Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon out almost immediately. Wendelstedt let Maddon state his case for about 15 seconds before calling for the manager's first ejection of the season and the seventh of his career.

"It's a bang-bang play," Maddon said. "I thought he was safe and I let Hunter know that and he thought he was out. It's just a big moment if he's safe with one out and our five, six guys coming to the plate. I did what I thought I had to do."