Mariners break up perfect game bid in 6th, beat Angels 8-2

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Adam Frazier broke up José Suárez’s bid for a perfect game in the sixth and added a two-run triple in the ninth, leading the Seattle Mariners to an 8-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday night.

Ty France had a tying two-run single in a three-run sixth for the Mariners, who have won five of seven after a pair of eventful victories at the Big A.

Suárez (4-5), the Angels’ 24-year-old Venezuelan left-hander, retired Seattle’s first 16 batters and led 2-0 before Frazier’s one-out infield single in the sixth. The next three Mariners also singled, abruptly ending Suárez’s night.

“He’s been pitching really well, but we were able to get a couple of good swings and then get some momentum,” France said.

France, who grew up in the Los Angeles suburbs north of Angel Stadium, chased Suárez before Jesse Winker added a tiebreaking sacrifice fly off Jimmy Herget.

Frazier tripled into the right field corner and then scored on Sam Haggerty’s infield hit in the ninth off Jesse Chavez. Rookie Julio Rodríguez added a two-run homer, his 19th of the season, in the Angels’ second straight catastrophic ninth inning against the M’s.

“At some point, our offense had to break through,” said Robbie Ray, who pitched six innings of six-hit ball for Seattle. “Lately, it’s been later in the game. ... We’re not really looking at the standings, not looking forward to playoffs or whatever. Our focus needs to be on winning the next game.”

Seattle scored four runs in the ninth Monday night to win 6-2.

Luis Rengifo homered and drove in two runs for the Angels, who have lost two straight after winning five of their previous six. Shohei Ohtani had a triple and two singles in his 28th multi-hit game of the season.

Suárez also lost his three-start winning streak and his streak of 23 consecutive innings over four starts without allowing an earned run. He began the season in the Angels’ rotation after pitching superbly down the stretch in 2021, but he was demoted to the minors this spring before returning with a new changeup and a serious upgrade in performance.

“Our at-bats once we got past the fifth inning, I thought, were much better,” Seattle manager Scott Servais said. “Credit to Suárez. We have not done much against him.”

Ray (9-8) struck out 10, and his teammates’ late rally put him in position for his first win since July 15 and his third victory over Los Angeles this season.

Ray dominated in his first two starts against the Angels this season with just two earned runs allowed in 14 innings. He wasn’t quite as sharp early in Anaheim, but settled in to retire 10 of his final 12 batters.

Rengifo extended his impressive August with a solo homer in the first and an RBI single in the third.

Suárez struck out five in his first five innings and didn’t even need an exceptional defensive play to stay perfect. Frazier broke through with a grounder into the hole at shortstop, where David Fletcher fielded it on the run with no chance to make the throw.

AILING ANGELS

OF Mike Trout is near a return from his back injury after taking batting practice last weekend. Interim manager Phil Nevin said the team will let Trout decide when he wants to return, but it’s more likely to be this weekend in Detroit than on Wednesday. ... RHP Michael Lorenzen (shoulder) threw a three-inning simulated game. He expects to make two starts for Triple-A Salt Lake next before returning to the Angels’ rotation next month. ... OF Jo Adell sat out after his thumb was hit by a pitch in the ninth inning Monday. Adell swung a bat during Lorenzen’s simulated game, but couldn’t throw.

UP NEXT

George Kirby (4-3, 3.39 ERA) takes the mound for Seattle on Wednesday in the series finale. The Angels haven’t announced a starter.