SEATTLE, Sept. 9 (UPI) -- Justin Smoak's two-run homer in the sixth put Seattle in front Thursday and the Mariners went on to down Kansas City 4-1.
Seattle won for only the second time in eight games, getting a four-hit effort from starter Jason Vargas and an almost perfect outing from the bullpen.
Vargas (8-13) threw five shutout innings before giving up an RBI single to Eric Hosmer that tied it in the sixth.
Dustin Ackley then drew a four-pitch walk to open the bottom of the sixth against Luke Hochevar (10-11) and Smoak hit his 13th homer of the year one out later.
Jamey Wright retired the side in order in the seventh and Tom Wilhelmsen did the same in the eighth before Brandon League came on in the ninth for his 34th save. League gave up an infield single, the only base runner allowed by the relief corps.
