Game recap: Mariners 10, Orioles 0

Takeaway

Nelson Cruz (3-for-3, walk, 5 RBIs), Kyle Seager (3-run homer) and Robinson Cano (3-for-4, 3 runs, 2 RBIs) collaborated for 10 RBIs and starter Wade Miley allowed two hits over six innings as the Mariners put an emphatic end to their three-game losing streak by swamping the Baltimore Orioles 10-0 Tuesday night at Camden Yards (box). The Orioles, who had won seven of their previous eight, entered with the American League’s best record (23-13).

The Mariners, who pounded out 12 hits, improved to 22-16 and won their 14th road contest against six defeats (best mark in the AL). Seattle remains percentage points ahead of the Texas Rangers for the AL West lead.

Essential moment

With Seattle nursing a 2-0 lead in the fifth, Cano and Cruz delivered RBI singles, then Seager hit his eighth home run with Cano and Cruz aboard, for a 7-0 advantage. Seattle collected six of the seven runs off Baltimore starter and loser Ubaldo Jimenez.

Hitters

Cruz hit his eighth homer in the sixth inning, a two-run shot, that provided Seattle with its final scores. Cruz has reached base in 43 of 46 career games against Baltimore . . . Cano’s two RBIs increased his American League lead to 36 and hiked his batting average to .302. Cano has hit safely in eight consecutive road games and in 17 of 20 this season. Cano, who has a career .367 lifetime average at Camden Yards,  has also reached base safely in 15 consecutive road games this month . . .The Mariners went 5-for-8 with runners in scoring position . . . Mark Trumbo, who played for the Mariners last season before his Dec. 2 trade to the Orioles for C Steve Clevenger, went 0-for-4 as Baltimore’s DH.

Pitchers

Miley (4-2, 4.32), who didn’t allow a hit until the fifth inning, enjoyed his easiest outing of the year in collecting his fourth win against two losses. He struck out one while walking three, and was never in trouble. Miley entered with an 0-2 career mark and 10.13 ERA against Baltimore. . . The bullpen (Vidal Nuno, Steve Johnson) collaborated for three innings of scoreless relief after Miley departed.

Words

“We needed a game like that. The guys swung the bats really well and Wade (Miley) had a nice outing with good fastball location. Baltimore has a good lineup, but Miley kept them off balance. Robbie (Cano) was locked in. It was nice to see us get on them in the first inning. We had good at-bats all night.” — Mariners manager Scott Servais

“It was definitely good to jump out to an early lead in this game, and we had big hits by Robbie (Cano) and Nellie (Cruz). Both are locked in right now. Wade (Miley) was sharp and went right at guys. We did a good job at swinging at strikes.” — Seager

Noteworthy

The Mariners are 17-8 in past 25 games and 6-1 vs. the AL East  . . . Seattle is 8-5 in the first game of a series and 8-3-1 overall in series . . . The Mariners Monday recalled RHP Joaquin Benoit (shoulder inflammation) from AAA Tacoma and optioned RHP Mayckol Guaipe to the Rainiers . . . The Mariners said Tuesday that LHP Charlie Furbush (shoulder) will throw live batting practice Thursday for AAA Tacoma. From there, he will travel to the team’s minor league facility in Arizona to build his pitch count in extended spring training.

Next

The the second of three in the series is Wednesday at 4:05 p.m., PT. RHP Taijuan Walker (2-2, 2.63) will pitch for Seattle opposite former Mariners farmhand Chris Tillman (5-1, 2.58). The series concludes Thursday, after which the Mariners travel to Cincinnati for a three-game set.