Randy Arozarena’s latest homer leads Mariners past Royals

Randy Arozarena homered for the fourth time in the past three games and added a sacrifice fly as the Seattle Mariners defeated the visiting Kansas City Royals 3-2 on Wednesday.
Mariners slugger Cal Raleigh, named the American League’s starting catcher for the All-Star Game earlier in the day, got just his second night off in 86 games this season.
Arozarena led off the bottom of the sixth inning with a 418-foot blast to straightaway center off Royals reliever John Schreiber, tying the score at 1-all. It was his 12th long ball of the year.
The Mariners broke the tie with two runs in the seventh.
Ben Williamson led off with a double to right-center before Cole Young hit a comebacker to the mound. Left-hander Angel Zerpa (3-1) tried to catch Williamson off second, but Williamson was able to slide back safely to leave runners at first and second.
J.P. Crawford dropped a sacrifice bunt down the third base line to put both runners in scoring position.
The Royals brought in Steven Cruz to face Julio Rodriguez, who hit a hard one-hopper that went off the heel of third baseman Maikel Garcia’s glove. The ball ricocheted high into the air, allowing Williamson to score. Arozarena then lifted a sac fly to center to give the Mariners a 3-1 lead.
Seattle reliever Matt Brash, making his 20th appearance, allowed his first run of the season in the eighth. However, Andres Munoz tossed a perfect ninth inning for his 19th save. Carlos Vargas (3-5) got the victory with a scoreless seventh.
The Royals opened the scoring in the first. Witt singled with one out, stole second and scored on Salvador Perez’s two-out single off the left field wall.
Those two teamed up again in the eighth. Witt led off with a single to right, moved to second on Vinnie Pasquantino’s hit and scored on Perez’s line-drive single to center.
Both starters pitched well, though neither went the requisite five innings to qualify for a victory.
Royals rookie left-hander Noah Cameron pitched 4 2/3 scoreless innings and allowed four hits with one walk and five strikeouts.
Cameron was lifted after the Mariners loaded the bases in the fifth, with Schreiber coming in to get Rodriguez to hit an inning-ending flyout to center on the first pitch.
Mariners ace Logan Gilbert, still working his way back to peak form after missing seven weeks with a right elbow flexor strain, also went 4 2/3 innings. He gave up one run on three hits, with three walks and seven strikeouts.