Critical Notes

Ichiro Suzuki scored one run and had an RBI in the Mariners’ shutout win. (AP Images)

The Seattle Mariners know their playoff hopes could hinge on how they perform in the early part of this week. They’re fortunate they have the right man to set the tone.

Ichiro Suzuki had three hits, scored one run and drove in another as the Mariners blanked division rival Los Angeles, 2-0, Monday night in a critical series at Safeco Field. Miguel Batista allowed four singles in seven innings and Seattle moved within three games of the American League West-leading Angels with its fourth straight win.

The Mariners were a solid bet as a home underdog, paying +124 on the moneyline (meaning a winning wager of $100 netted a $124 profit).

Los Angeles, which was coming off a sweep over Detroit, lost for the first time in five games. The Angels struggled against Batista (11-7), who struck out two and walked none in his first scoreless start this season. Brandon Morrow pitched a scoreless eighth and J.J. Putz needed just six pitches to complete the four-hitter and earn his 31st save in 32 chances.

Putz struck out Angels slugger Vladimir Guerrero on three pitches.

Suzuki led off the third inning by lining a drive to the right-centerfield wall against Kelvim Escobar (11-5), who allowed eight hits in his third complete game this season. Suzuki then tested the vaunted throwing arm of rightfielder Guerrero by speeding around second as Guerrero picked up the ball. He reached third easily as Guerrero’s throw was wide of the base, and scored on Jose Vidro’s single to make it 1-0.

In other American League games on Monday:

Detroit 5, Oakland 2: Curtis Granderson and Placido Polanco both had three hits and an RBI as theTigers snapped a four-game losing streak with a road win that paid their backers +105. Jordan Tata (1-0), brought up to take the injured Kenny Rogers’ spot in Detroit’s rotation, allowed two runs and six hits over seven innings in his first major league start. A 16th-round draft pick in 2003, Tata walked two and struck out five, including Nick Swisher three times.

Tampa Bay 5, Toronto 4: Carl Crawford, who scored the tying run as a pinch runner in the ninth inning, led off the bottom of the 11th with a home run that lifted the Devil Rays to a home win. Tampa Bay paid +131.

Minnesota 3, Kansas City 1: Scott Baker sparkled over eight crisp innings and Joe Mauer drove in three runs to lead the Twins at the Metrodome. Baker (5-4) faced one batter over the minimum, struck out seven and allowed two hits, both in the fourth inning. Joe Nathan pitched a perfect ninth for his 23rd save in 25 opportunities as the Twins paid -140.

For complete MLB odds for Tuesday, visit the Bodog Sportsbook.