
Seattle's bullpen entered the game with an MLB best 1.95 ERA but struggled giving up five runs and almost costing Carlos Silva his first win in nine starts.
Heading into the ninth inning, Angels outfielder Torri Hunter was 0-for-4 but hit a two-run homer to deep center off relief pitcher David Aardsma to bring the Angels within one.
Aardsma settled down though and struck out Mike Napoli and the Mariners hung on for the 9-8 win.
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Silva's win snapped an eight-game losing streak dating back to June 2008. Silva pitched five innings giving up three runs, all earned, on six hits, a home run, walked one and struck out one.
First baseman Russell "The Muscle" Branyan homered for the second straight game. Branyan's three-run blast came in his first at bat against Angels pitcher Anthony Ortega making his major league debut. Branyan was 3-for-5 on the night with four RBI's and two runs scored.
Wladimir Balentien got his first home run of the season on an 0-1 change-up from Ortega. Balentien got the start in left while Endy Chavez took over in center to give Franklin Gutierrez a night off.
The Mariners led by as much as six runs going into the bottom of the seventh inning. Pitcher Miguel Batista gave up one run while Mark Lowe gave up two runs in the eighth before Shawn Kelley came in to get the final out.
Last year the M's managed just five wins in 19 games against the Angles but have already beat them four times and for more series wins, two, than they have in the past four seasons.
NOTES: For the first time replay was used in Anaheim. In the bottom of the third inning, Angels outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. hit a shot to right center where a fan reached over the railing to catch the ball. Angels manager Mike Scioscia immediately went out on the field to argue. The play was ruled a ground rule double.
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