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Cairo, Washburn help Mariners beat Blue Jays

Jul 3, 2008 - 6:14 AM By Paul Lowenberg PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

SEATTLE (Ticker) -- Miguel Cairo doubled twice and drove in three runs and Jarrod Washburn pitched six effective innings to lead the Seattle Mariners to their fifth win in their last six games, a 4-2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday night.

Ichiro Suzuki collected three hits and Raul Ibanez added an RBI for the Mariners (33-51), who still own the worst record in the American League despite winning seven of their last nine contests. The team is 8-4 under interim manager Jim Riggleman.

Adam Lind hit his third home run of the season for the Blue Jays, who failed to produce a baserunner against Seattle's bullpen.

Cairo snapped a 2-2 tie in the fifth, when he doubled home Yuniesky Betancourt and Suzuki.

"Miguel was just outstanding," Mariners manager Jim Riggleman said. "He's a real pro. He's the ultimate professional, and we needed to get him in there for some at-bats, and he went over and above tonight for us."

The Mariners took a 2-0 lead in the third as Blue Jays starter Dustin McGowan (6-7) issued a two-out walk to Suzuki, who scored on another double by Cairo. Raul Ibanez delivered an RBI single for the second run.

"You've always got to be ready and prepared to play in the game," said Cairo, whose had just 68 at-bats for the Mariners this season. "You've got to come to the ballpark expecting to help the team that day."

Washburn (4-7) gave up two runs and seven hits, walking two and striking out four. It was the fifth straight start in which the 33-year-old lefthander has allowed two runs or less.

"It's frustrating because we are playing right now the way we envisioned ourselves playing," Washburn said. "I don't think we're doing anything differently as far as approach, it's just that things are clicking now."

Entering the game with a 0.73 ERA, tops among American League relievers, Brandon Morrow worked the ninth for his fifth save of the season.

Morrow did not even start the season with the Mariners and was not called up from Class AA West Tennessee until April 17, when Erik Bedard went on the disabled list. With closer J.J. Putz injured, Morrow has filled in nicely in the role.

"Everything about his game has been getting better and better," Riggleman said of the club's fifth-overall pick in 2006. "He didn't make the club out of spring training, and that would be hard to imagine right now."

McGowan was tagged with his second consecutive loss after surrendering four runs, six hits and a walk in six innings. He struck out five.

"I just left two bad pitches out over the plate," McGowan said, referring to Cairo's two doubles.

After the Blue Jays had put runners on base in each of the first four innings and failed to score, Lind tied the game in the fifth with a two-run homer.

Toronto loaded the bases with two outs in the fourth on a single and a pair of walks. But Washburn struck out Rod Barajas to end that threat.

"We were about one hit from blowing this thing wide open when we had the bases loaded but didn't get it done," Toronto manager Cito Gaston said. "I guess it was the Miguel Cairo show tonight."