Suzuki scores 3 runs and Mariners rap out 14 hits in a 7-6 win over Royals

Suzuki scores 3 runs in Seattle’s 7-6 win over KC

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Ichiro Suzuki homered on the second pitch of the game then ended it with a great sliding catch as the Seattle Mariners outlasted Kansas City 7-6 on Tuesday night, snapping a five-game losing streak against the Royals.

Kansas City loaded the bases with two outs against Seattle closer David Aardsma with two singles and a walk. John Buck lifted a high fly ball to right and Suzuki went into a feet-first slide to make the game-ending catch in foul territory. Aardsma earned his 26th save in 28 opportunities.

Russell Branyan’s RBI single off Ron Mahay put Seattle on top 7-6 in the seventh. No. 9 hitter Michael Saunders had three hits for the Mariners, who beat Kansas City for the first time since July 13, 2008.

Shawn Kelley (3-1) got the win with two innings of one-run relief. The loss went to Jamey Wright (1-4), who gave up two hits and one run while pitching one inning plus one batter.

Suzuki’s major league-leading average stayed at .364 as he went 2 for 5, reached base four times and scored three runs.

The only Mariner starter without a hit was third baseman Adrian Beltre. Making his first appearance since going on the disabled list on June 29, Beltre was 0 for 5 with three strikeouts and had a throwing error that led to an unearned run.

Billy Butler, Brayan Pena, Alex Gordon and Yuniesky Betancourt all had two hits for the Royals.

Kansas City went ahead 2-1 in the bottom of the first on Butler’s RBI double and Alberto Callaspo’s sacrifice fly.

The Mariners tied 3-all in the third on Jose Lopez’s two-run double and Ken Griffey Jr.’s run-scoring single.

Bench coach John Gibbons managed the Royals for the second straight game while Trey Hillman was at home in Dallas attending to what the club said was a family matter. He was expected back Wednesday.

Betancourt, playing against Seattle for the first time since being traded by the Mariners last month, had an RBI triple in the fourth and then hustled home on a sacrifice fly when David DeJesus popped out to second baseman Lopez in foul territory.

The Mariners took a 6-5 lead in the sixth on Branyan’s RBI double and Franklin Gutierrez’s RBI single to deep third. Betancourt tied it 6-6 with an RBI double in the sixth.

Seattle starter Ryan Rowland-Smith went four innings and gave up five runs on six hits. Royals starter Luke Hochevar gave up four runs and seven hits in five innings.

NOTES: Seattle manager Don Wakamatsu was scheduled to speak at the Negro Leagues Museum on Wednesday morning. The first Japanese-American manager in the majors, Wakamatsu’s grandparents were removed to internment camps during World War II. … The Royals are hopeful of getting RHP Gil Meche back in the rotation this week. He’s been on the DL with a back strain. … Seattle announced 10 international signings, from Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Korea, Panama and Venezuela. … Ichiro’s leadoff homer was his 30th, making him third all-time.