Former Indian Josh Bard went 4-for-5 with a grand slam to lead Seattle to a second straight win over the Tribe.
Former Indians catcher Josh Bard gets congratulations from Seattle's Casey Kotchman, Franklin Gutierrez and Jose Lopez after Bard's fifth-inning grand slam gave the Mariners a 7-2 lead Saturday night at Progressive Field.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Mariners are supposed to have the worst offense in the American League.
A lot of people were fooled Saturday night.
Then again, Seattle was playing the Indians in mid-August, so the number probably wasn't all that high.
The Mariners, led by former Indian Josh Bard, rolled to a 9-3 victory at Progressive Field. Bard went 4-for-5 with a grand slam.
Last-place Seattle (46-71) goes for the three-game sweep Sunday afternoon behind their ace, Felix Hernandez.
Last-place Cleveland (48-69) has lost six of seven. The latest defeat could have been worse if not for reliever Frank Herrmann, who retired all nine batters faced from the seventh inning through the ninth.
Bard played for the Tribe from 2002 to 2005. He joined the long line of former Indians to have punished Cleveland this season.
Russell Branyan -- remember him? -- also homered for the Mariners, who finished with 13 hits.
Bard's first career slam, off reliever Hector Ambriz, was part of a five-run fifth that gave the Mariners a 7-2 lead. The only downer for Seattle? Bard failed to hit for the cycle. His two opportunities for a triple ended in a single and lineout to left.
Bard has three homers and 10 RBI this season.
Tribe righty Mitch Talbot, activated earlier in the day, gave up six runs (four earned) on eight hits in four-plus innings. Lapses by his defense hurt; third baseman Andy Marte booted two balls in the decisive fifth.
Tribe designated hitter Jayson Nix had a solo homer and RBI double.