SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners weren't able to get a positive result against the Cleveland Guardians on Opening Day on Thursday.

The Mariners fell to the Guardians 6-4.

Seattle and Cleveland were tied 3-3 going into the seventh inning and were geared to go with their high-leverage reliever for the final three innings in the tied situation.

The Guardians put up two runs to take a 5-3 lead. A home run from designated hitter Dominic Canzone cut the deficit to 5-4 in the bottom of the seventh.

For the ninth inning, Cooper Criswell, who was making his first appearance with the Mariners, took the mound.

Criswell had a mixed outing Thursday. In one inning pitched, the 29-year-old right-handed hurler struck out one batter, walked one and allowed one earned run on one hit (one home run).

The former North Carolina hurler's allowed a homer to rookie Chase DeLauter (the latter's second of the game), which resulted in the eventual final of 6-4.

Despite giving up the home run, Criswell limited the damage to the one run, which kept the Mariners in striking distance going into the bottom of the ninth.

Criswell earned one of the final spots on the bullpen, presumably in a long relief-type role.

The former Los Angeles Angels draftee's current role with Seattle provides coverage to the starting rotation and the pitching staff as a whole, which was highlighted by manager Dan Wilson on Wednesday.

Whether Criswell is used in low leverage to a similar way he was Thursday, used in bullpen days or makes a spot start, he's ready to accept whatever role is laid out for him.

"It's nice knowing that I've been in almost every situation out there that you can have as a pitcher," Criswell said in a pregame interview Thursday. " ... When (Wilson) called me in and told me I made the team, I reiterated to him that I'm willing to do whatever you need and whatever you ask of me. Whether it's spot starts, long innings, saving the high leverage guys or even one-inning stints. I'm open to each and every thing. I'm just happy to be here."

"Saving the high leverage guys" was something that Criswell accomplished with his start.

Right-handed pitcher Casey Legumina took the eighth inning behind Criswell. Left-hander Jose Ferrer took care of the final two outs of the sixth inning and southpaw  Gabe Speier took the mound in the seventh.

Criswell and Legumina's collective outings kept right-handers Matt Brash and two-time All-Star closer Andres Munoz fresh for Game 2 of the series, which is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. PT on Friday.

It may not always look pretty but Criswell's role on the team can have long-term positive effects on the team that will come to roost as the season progresses.

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