Washburn allows 1 run in 6 2-3 innings in Mariners’ 3-1 win against Indians

Washburn pitches Seattle to win against Indians

CLEVELAND — Jarrod Washburn pitched effectively into the seventh inning, Franklin Gutierrez homered for a second straight night and the Seattle Mariners beat the Cleveland Indians 3-1 Saturday night.

Washburn (7-6) allowed a run in 6 2-3 innings and has given up two runs over his last 23 2-3 innings to win his last three starts. It has lowered his ERA from 3.36 to 2.87 — fifth-best in the American League.

He allowed eight hits Saturday, struck out three and did not walk a batter. Washburn has given up two runs or less in eight of his last 10 starts.

David Aardsma pitched the ninth for his 21st save in 23 chances.

Gutierrez went the opposite way against his former team, as he did Friday, in the fourth inning for a two-run homer. It was the 12th of the season for Gutierrez, who hit a career high 13 with Cleveland two years ago. He has hit in 24 of his last 26 games, belting seven home runs and driving in 19.

Tomo Ohka (0-4) had his best start in a month, but the homer was the 10th he has surrendered in 39 1-3 innings this year. Ohka allowed three runs in seven innings Saturday after allowing 15 runs over his last three starts combined.

Cleveland scored its only run in the seventh on a two-out single by Jamey Carroll. The throw from Gutierrez in center beat Victor Martinez to the plate, but home plate umpire Dana DeMuth called Martinez safe. Seattle manager Don Wakamatsu argued briefly before ending Washburn’s night. Reliever Sean White got Ben Francisco to ground into a fielder’s choice to end the inning.

Martinez singled into the left-field corner in the second inning, but was easily thrown out trying to stretch it into a double. Wladimir Balentein’s throw from left arrived so early, Martinez didn’t bother sliding.

NOTES: Ichrio Suzuki’s hitting streak was snapped at 13 games. … 1B Russell Branyan will likely sit out Sunday’s finale to rest his ailing back. Seattle is off Monday, which will give him two days of rest. Branyan hurt his back on a swing Thursday. … Balentien started in left field in place of Ryan Langerhans. … Cleveland’s Kerry Wood struck out the side in the ninth. … The Indians have not announced a starter for Thursday, but it won’t be prized prospect Hector Rondon, who has allowed one earned run in 12 innings since being promoted to Triple-A. “Not this early,” Wedge said. “I think he’s had a nice path so far. Let’s keep him on that path.” Wedge didn’t rule out Rondon as a September callup.

(This version CORRECTS Mariners 3, Indians 1. corrects Gutierrez’s homer to fourth inning)