SEATTLE — The Minnesota Twins got help from three Seattle errors while jumping out to a five-run lead before holding off the Mariners 8-5 on Saturday night at Safeco Field.
Seven different Twins players drove in runs as Minnesota (7-10) matched its season high for runs. Left fielder Eduardo Nunez went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and is now 6-for-10 for the season. Shortstop Eduard Escobar hit his first home run of the year as the Twins piled up 10 hits.
Center fielder Austin Jackson homered for Seattle (7-10). The Mariners’ 3-4-5 hitters – second baseman Robinson Cano, designated hitter Nelson Cruz and third baseman Kyle Seager – combined to go 3-for-10 with three RBIs.
The Twins did most of their damage against the Seattle bullpen after chasing Mariners starter James Paxton (0-2) in the fifth. Minnesota turned a two-run lead into an 8-3 advantage in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings before Jackson’s two-run homer in the seventh gave Seattle hope.
But Minnesota relievers Caleb Thielbar, Casey Fein and Glen Perkins finished the final 2 1/3 innings to preserve the win.
Minnesota used seven pitchers on a night when starter Trevor May got hit by a line drive and had to come out of the game in the fourth. Tim Stauffer (1-0) picked up the win and Perkins got his fourth save after retiring three of the four batters he faced.
The Twins took advantage of three Seattle errors, two by Seager, on the way to a 4-2 lead after five innings.
May came out of the game in the fourth after he was hit by a line drive off Seager’s bat. The ball struck May’s right forearm, but he was able to make an underhand throw to first base before leaving with the score tied 2-2.
May allowed two earned runs and three hits in 3 1/3 innings. He struck out five, having struck out the side in the second inning.
Two Seattle errors opened the door for the Twins to take a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Seager and Jackson each were charged with errors as the Twins loaded the bases before Paxton walked in the first run of the game.
Designated hitter Nelson Cruz responded with a two-run double in the bottom of the first, giving Seattle a 2-1 lead.
Minnesota evened the score 2-2 on a solo home run from Escobar in the top of the fourth. Two-out RBI singles from Nunez and catcher Kurt Suzuki in the fifth put the Twins ahead 4-2 while chasing Paxton from the mound.
Paxton threw 106 pitches and allowed five hits and four runs — only one of which was earned.
NOTES: The Twins shuffled their lineup, with 2B Brian Dozier leading off Saturday. Manager Paul Molitor told reporters he is toying with the idea of using DH Joe Maurer as a leadoff hitter. … The MRI on Mariners RHP Hisashi Iwakuma revealed a Grade 1 strain of the right lat muscle, which the team said is likely to keep him out two to four weeks. Iwakuma was placed on the 15-day disabled list Friday after complaining of fatigue in his pitching shoulder. … LHP Roenis Elias is expected to be called up from Triple-A Tacoma to start Sunday for the Mariners. . … Minnesota’s starter, RHP Trevor May, grew up three hours south of Seattle in Longview, Wash.
