Victor Robles had three hits and drove in two runs, Julio Rodríguez homered for the second game in a row, and the Seattle Mariners began a 10-game road trip with a 9-5 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night.
“Great way to start the road trip, for sure. Putting pressure on them early on and giving our pitchers a chance to get into the ballgame,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said. “Offense continues to roll, and it’s a good sign and good to see.”
The Mariners scored five runs in the first inning, spoiling the debut of Angels’ left-hander Samuel Aldegheri, who was the first player born and raised in Italy to pitch in a major league game.
Aldegheri (0-1) gave up seven runs — only two earned — on six hits, with two walks and three strikeouts in five innings. He was called up from Double-A Rocket City on Friday and was acquired last month in the trade that sent closer Carlos Estévez to Philadelphia.
“I had a hard time in the first inning but I thought I bounced back pretty good. I’m happy. First time I was kind of nervous, but I’m happy,” Aldegheri said.
George Kirby (10-10) allowed five runs in 5 2/3 innings for the Mariners, who have won four of their last five games.
“I wish I came out a little stronger. Didn’t throw my offspeed for strikes so was battling back in counts. Really glad the hitters stepped up and had my back,” Kirby said.
Taylor Ward, Mickey Moniak, and Brandon Drury hit solo home runs for the Angels, who have lost eight of their last nine games. The Angels are now 55-80, which is the fourth-worst record in franchise history after 135 games.
The Mariners sent 11 batters to the plate in the first inning. With runners on second and third with two outs, it looked like Aldegheri might escape the inning when Jorge Polanco hit a line drive at Zach Neto. However, it went off the Angels shortstop’s glove, allowing two runs to score.
