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Hellickson sharp as Rays top Mariners

Aug 1, 2011 - 3:06 AM Seattle, WA (Sports Network) - Jeremy Hellickson gave up one run on five hits over seven innings to guide the Rays past the Mariners, 8-1, in the rubber match of a three-game set at Safeco Field.

Hellickson (10-7) carried a no-hitter into the sixth, but Chone Figgins hit a single to open the frame to end the bid.

"When you're getting quick outs and throwing strikes, you get a little more confidence in the pitches you're throwing up there," Hellickson said. "I just kept attacking the zone."

Sean Rodriguez went 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBI and Ben Zobrist added three hits and three RBI for Tampa Bay, winner in three of four.

Franklin Gutierrez had two hits and Casper Wells knocked in the lone run for Seattle, which has lost 14 times since the All-Star break.

Jason Vargas (6-10) was pegged with the loss after giving up six runs -- four earned -- on nine hits over 5 1/3 innings.

"It's been a rough stretch. I haven't really pitched good since coming back from the break," Vargas said. "Just not making the big pitches when I need to and kind of getting that pitch count up early. I just need to pitch better and keep the team in the ballgame, because right now I?m not doing that."

The Mariners also announced they traded starter Eric Bedard and pitching prospect Josh Fields to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for outfielders Chih- Hsien Chiang and Trayvon Robinson.

The oft-injured Bedard has made 16 starts for the Mariners this season, going 4-7 with a 3.45 earned run average. Fields was the Mariners first-round selection in the 2008 draft.

Chiang is hitting .338 with 18 homers and 76 RBI over 87 games with Double-A Portland. Robinson posted a .293 average with 26 homers and 71 RBI in 100 games with Triple-A Albuquerque.

The Rays jumped ahead in the first inning. Jennings reached on a leadoff error, stole second and moved to third on yet another error. Evan Longoria knocked Jennings in after grounding to third base. Figgins fielded the ball cleanly and fired to home but Jennings, who left on contact, was able to slide around Miguel Olivo to score.

Tampa Bay added one more in the third and two fourth. Sam Fuld reached on the Mariner's third error in as many innings, moved to second when Longoria singled then scored on Zobrist's base hit to left.

In the fourth, Rodriguez singled to score Matt Joyce and Kelly Shoppach. Shoppach opened the frame with a single and Joyce followed with a double.

Casey Kotchman's RBI single in the fifth made it a 5-0 game.

Zobrist singled with the bases loaded in the sixth to bring home two more runs. Zobrist lined a first pitch fastball to left to score Rodriguez and Fuld, who was slid across home to beat Casper Wells' throw to the plate.

Seattle finally got on the board in seventh. Mike Carp singled, moved to second on an Olivo single before moving to third when Adam Kennedy grounded out. Wells then grounded out to second but Carp scored on the play.

Tampa Bay came right back with another run in the eighth after Rodriguez hit a solo homer. Rodriguez fell behind 1-2 but drove a fastball over the fence in left.

Game Notes

Zobrist extended his hitting streak to 11 games...Hellickson became the second Rays rookie to reach 10 wins by the end of July. Rolando Arrojo did it in 1998...Wells and Charlie Furbush each made their first appearance with the Mariners after being acquired Saturday in a trade...The Mariners have just two wins since the All-Star Break.