The resting Dodgers came on top against the also-resting Mariners lineup
SEATTLE — Going into Game 1 of Friday's interleague matchup between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Seattle Mariners, both clubs knew what their postseason future was.
The Dodgers were locked into the No. 3 seed in the National League and the Mariners were guaranteed a top-two seed in the American League and a first-round bye through the playoffs. Because of this, both teams opted to give several key players rest Friday.
Los Angeles' light lineup came out on top and beat Seattle 3-2 in front of a crowd of 45,458 at T-Mobile Park.
"Tight ball game tonight. Came down to the end," Mariners manager Dan Wilson said in a postgame interview. "Some good at-bats late. Created a lot of traffic there in the eighth and ninth and right on the cusp (of the win). I thought the guys played hard until the end and fought."
Several Seattle stars did start Friday. All-Star center fielder Julio Rodriguez was one of them accounted for the first run of the game.
Rodriguez hit a 115-mph line drive to left field that ricocheted off the outstretched glove of Dodgers left fielder Michael Conforto.
That hit, which ended up being scored as a fielding error by Conforto, brought home left fielder Randy Arozarena and put the Mariners in front 1-0.
Los Angeles responded in the top of the third. Third baseman Kike Hernandez hit a two-run home run to left field to put the Dodgers in front 2-1.
That pitch, which was on the inside edge of the right-handed hitter, was the only blemish for Seattle starting pitcher George Kirby.
In his final start of the regular season, the fourth-year hurler fanned 10, walked one, hit a batter and allowed two earned runs on three hits (one home run) in five innings pitched. The Mariners opted to go with a conservative pitch-count for Kirby, who finished with 85 pitches. The team will opt for that approach with the starters in the final two games of the series against Los Angeles.
Kirby also showed off a modified sinker, which he was able to land for strikes consistently.
"I got to thank Bryan Woo for that grip (on the sinker)," Kirby said after the game. "He gave it to me like two weeks ago. It's been a great pitch the last couple weeks. Gonna keep going (with it)."
Seattle had an opportunity to cut into Los Angeles' one-run lead in the home half of the third, but left two runners stranded in scoring position. Designated hitter Josh Naylor was one of the hitters left on. He was noticeably grimacing after he stole second base, and was pulled after the inning. The steal was his 30th steal of the season (19th with the Mariners).
"Just a little groin tightness," Wilson said. "We wanted to be conservative with (Naylor) and precautionary, so we were able to get him out."
The Dodgers bolstered their lead to 3-1 in the top of the sixth after first baseman Dalton Rushing hit an RBI single.
Seattle had an opportunity to retake the lead an the win in both the eighth and ninth innings.
In the bottom of the eighth, right fielder Dominic Canzone hit a two-out RBI single to cut Los Angeles' lead to 3-2. The Mariners left another two runners stranded in scoring position to end the frame.
Seattle had the bases loaded with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. Catcher Cal Raleigh hit a two-out double, Rodriguez was intentionally walked and designated hitter Mitch Garver, who took over for Naylor, was hit by a pitch to set up third baseman Eugenio Suarez with the bases juiced.
Dodgers closer Tanner Scott struck out Suarez to secure the one-run win.
The Mariners went 1-for-13 with runners in scoring position and stranded 12.
Seattle dropped to 90-70 with the loss, and are now locked in as the No. 2 seed for the playoffs.
The Mariners will look to build some momentum in Game 2 of the series against Los Angeles at 6:40 p.m. PT on Saturday.
Logan Gilbert will start for Seattle and Tyler Glasnow will start for the Dodgers.
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