ST. PETERSBURG -- Mitch Haniger and Nelson Cruz brought the boom Saturday night as the Mariners defeated the Rays, 7-6, at Tropicana Field.
The Mariners (63-61) have won four in a row to keep pace with the Royals and Twins for the second spot in the AL Wild Card race. Meanwhile, the Rays (60-65) lost their fourth straight. Since winning three straight at Houston, the Rays have won just three times in their last 15 games.
Haniger gave the Mariners an early three-run lead with a grand slam in the third off Rays starter Jake Odorizzi.