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Mariners complete sweep of Angels

Apr 3, 2014 - 6:23 AM Anaheim, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - James Paxton tossed seven scoreless innings, Mike Zunino hit a three-run homer and the Seattle Mariners handled the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, 8-2, to complete a three-game sweep.

Seattle recorded its first three-game sweep in Anaheim since June 9-11, 2006. The Mariners have also won three straight to start the season for the third time in club history, joining the 1985 and 1995 clubs.

Paxton (1-0) gave up just two hits while striking out nine. The left-hander made his MLB debut with four starts last September and impressed with a 3-0 mark and 1.50 ERA.

"I got into a groove and found my rhythm around the fifth inning," Paxton said. "My curveball got me strikeouts and my release point was pretty good."

Justin Smoak and Corey Hart hit back-to-back homers in the ninth for Seattle, which got an RBI apiece from Stefen Romero, Brad Miller and Robinson Cano.

Mike Trout and David Freese each knocked in a run for the Angels, who went 0- for-6 with runners in scoring position and stranded three.

"We have to exercise patience on the offensive side," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "We're a better offensive team then we showed in this series."

Hector Santiago (0-1) allowed four runs on seven hits over five-plus frames in his Angels debut. He was part of the three-team deal in December that landed former Los Angeles slugger Mark Trumbo in Arizona. The Angels got back young starter Tyler Skaggs in the deal as well as Santiago, who went 4-9 with a 3.56 ERA in 34 games (23 starts) last season with the Chicago White Sox.

The Angels wasted a golden scoring opportunity in the first inning. Kole Calhoun led off with a double to right and Trout followed with a walk. Paxton was able to settle down and got Albert Pujols to ground into a double play. Freese lined out to end the frame.

Seattle's offense got going in the third when Miller scored on Cano's single to right-center field. Miller reached base on a two-out double to right.

The Mariners tacked on another run in the fifth. With a runner on second and two outs, Miller hit an RBI single to left.

The visitors pulled away with a four-run sixth. Santiago exited after giving up consecutive singles to Smoak and Hart. Romero greeted Fernando Salas with an RBI double to left, which deflected off third baseman Freese's glove. After Dustin Ackley grounded out, Zunino hit a three-run homer to left-center field.

Paxton retired 12 of the final 13 batters he faced before giving way to Joe Beimel in the eighth.

Smoak and Hart homered off Ernesto Frieri in the top of the ninth, making it an 8-0 contest.

The Angels got both runs back in the home half off Hector Noesi. Trout's triple plated Calhoun. Freese added a sacrifice fly.

Game Notes

Romero's RBI in the sixth was his first in the majors ... A five-time All-Star to begin his career with the New York Yankees, Cano has gone 5-for-11 with an RBI, two runs scored and four walks in his first three games with the Mariners ... The Angels were swept in a three-game series to open the season for first time since 1992.