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Elias leads Mariners over Orioles

May 21, 2015 - 4:35 AM Baltimore, MD (SportsNetwork.com) - Roenis Elias tossed 7 2/3 strong innings, and the Seattle Mariners held on for a 4-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles.

Elias (1-1) sailed through the first six innings and did not allow a runner to reach scoring position until the seventh. Fernando Rodney gave up a run in the ninth but eventually recorded his 10th save.

Justin Ruggiano's two-run home run keyed the Mariners' attack, and Nelson Cruz had another two-hit game against his former club.

Wei-Yin Chen (1-3) allowed all four Mariners runs on eight hits in seven innings, and Adam Jones had three of Baltimore's 10 hits.

"He left a couple breaking balls up that that he paid for, but other than that he was crisp," said Orioles manager Buck Showalter. "Pitched deep into the game."

Seattle initially went up 1-0 when Mike Zunino's double scored Ruggiano in the second. The Mariners added to that lead two innings later when Cruz led off with a double before Ruggiano's home run to left-center field extended Seattle's edge to 3-0.

"Any time you can put runs on the board, obviously it's going to help your starter relax a bit," said Seattle manager Lloyd McClendon.

Meanwhile, Elias shut down Baltimore's lineup. Through the first six innings, he allowed just a pair of singles and only faced three 3-ball counts.

After Logan Morrison led off the seventh with a single, Chris Taylor's first career triple added a valuable insurance run.

Jones' leadoff single could have led to Baltimore's first rally in the bottom half of the seventh, but Delmon Young grounded into a double play on the first pitch he saw. His impatience proved costly when Chris Davis hit a two-out double. Steve Pearce popped out to end the inning.

The Orioles did break through in the eighth. With two runners on and two outs, Jimmy Paredes singled to right field. Rey Navarro scored, but when Cruz bobbled the ball, Paredes tried taking an extra base. Cruz's throw beat Paredes, leaving Jones in the on deck circle.

Jones then led off the ninth with a single, and Young's hit put runners on the corners with no outs. Rodney battled back to strike out Davis and Pearce, but J.J. Hardy's single to center field pulled the Orioles within two. Travis Snider then grounded out to end the game.

Game Notes

Baltimore is 0-18 when trailing after seven innings and 1-13 when scoring fewer than four runs ... Only one of the Orioles' hits went for extra bases ... Pitcher Tyler Wilson made his major league debut for Baltimore ... Thursday's rubber game will feature Seattle's J.A. Happ against Baltimore's Chris Tillman.