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Bloomquist belts game-winner as Mariners top Jays

Jul 2, 2008 - 6:53 AM SEATTLE (Ticker) -- With a pitching staff decimated by injuries, the Seattle Mariners went to a "starter by committee" approach and used a couple of timely home runs along with a walk-off single from Willie Bloomquist in the ninth to defeat the Toronto Blue Jays, 7-6, on Tuesday.

The Mariners trailed, 6-2, after six innings but scored five runs in the final three frames.

The comeback culminated in the ninth when Raul Ibanez drew a leadoff walk from Scott Downs (0-2) and was sacrificed to second. After an intentional walk to Adrian Beltre, Bloomquist hit the first pitch he saw from Shawn Camp into left-center field, sending the partisan crowd home happy.

"The guys are competing so hard and not getting anything for it," Seattle interim manager Jim Riggleman said. "With a few wins you really feel good for them. When guys are struggling, it's tough."

Seattle is 7-4 under Riggleman, who took over for John McLaren as manager June 19.

"The guys are still playing hard and that's what we like to see," Bloomquist said. "Even in our situation guys are not giving up. We are still trying to win games."

Adam Lind's two-run double highlight a three-run sixth that gave Toronto a 6-2 lead.

However, the Mariners slowly chipped away at the deficit.

Yuniesky Betancourt's second RBI single cut the lead to 6-3 in the sixth and Beltre hit his 16th homer, a two-run shot in the seventh off Jesse Carlson to make it 6-5. Richie Sexson then tied the game at 6-6 in the eighth as he led off the frame with his 10th home run to right field off Downs, who entered the game with a 26-inning scoreless streak.

Sexson's home run was his 10th of the season and first since May 24.

"We play 162 games a season and that's bound to happen at least once and tonight was one of those nights," Toronto manager Cito Gaston said of Sexson's blast. "It was a tough loss. Anytime you lose one like that, it's tough. We just beat ourselves."

With two regular starters injured, the Mariners used five relievers along with Ryan Rowland-Smith, who went 3 2/3 innings in his first big league start. Smith was starting because ace Felix Hernandez was placed on the disabled list Monday with a sprained left ankle Smith allowed three runs and four hits in 3 2/3 innings.

"It worked OK," said Riggleman of his makeshift pitching strategy. "We made it a little tough on a couple of them because we didn't make a play or two and the did a good job. I think Rowland-Smith did a really good job."

Rowland-Smith, a 24-year-old native of Australia, had not started a game since 2006 when he was with AA San Antonio.

"It's always been a long term goal, to be a starter," Roland-Smith said. "The first three innings went pretty well, but that fourth inning sort of jumped on me."

Brandon Morrow (1-1) struck out the side in the ninth to pick up the win.

Toronto broke open a close game with a three-run sixth, which was highlighted by Lind's two-run double.

Leading 3-2, Toronto capitalized on second baseman Jose Lopez's fielding error on what looked like a routine double play grounder to ignite the big frame.

With Vernon Wells on first and none one out, Lyle Overbay's ground ball went under Lopez's glove to put runners at first and third. Scott Rolen walked, Gregg Zaun singled in one run and Lind doubled home two more for a four-run bulge.

Toronto starter Jesse Litsch allowed three runs - one earned - and 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings with one strikeout.