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Smoak hit a 1-1 fastball from Luke Hochevar (10-11) into the right-field seats for his 13th, but first since June 12. He had gone 48 games between home runs.
Jason Vargas (8-13) picked up the victory, his first since Aug. 10. He worked six innings, allowing four hits and one run. Jamey Wright, Tom Wilhelmsen each worked a hitless inning.
Brandon League had a little trouble getting out of the ninth. He took a two-out line drive from Mike Moustakas off his left leg, with Moustakas reaching first. Shortstop Brendan Ryan then bobbled a Johnny Giavotella ground ball.
League got Salvador Perez to ground out to end the game and earn his 34th save in 39 opportunities.
Ichiro Suzuki opened the Mariners’ first with a first-pitch home run to right field. He has four home runs, all leading off the game. It was his 36th career leadoff home run – out of 94 career homers – sixth on the all-time list.
The Royals missed on a couple scoring chances against Vargas – the best one came in the second, when Jeff Francoeur lifted a one-out triple into the left-field corner that Mike Carp missed on a diving attempt.
With the infield drawn in, Moustakas hit a two-hopper to second baseman Dustin Ackley, who threw home on the run. His throw bounced in front of the plate but catcher Chris Gimenez gathered it smoothly on the hop then was slammed by Francoeur. Gimenez held his ground and the ball for the out.
The Royals finally broke through in the sixth. Melky Cabrera reached on a one-out bunt single up the third-base line. With two outs and a 1-1 count to Eric Hosmer, Cabrera stole second, and Hosmer followed with a RBI single to center to make it 1-1.
Hochevar, coming off two straight wins, went 62/3 innings. He struck out a season-high nine and walked three, although his base on balls to Ackley in the sixth was followed by Smoak’s blast.
Suzuki singled in the seventh then stole second and third. He scored when Escobar booted Ryan’s ground ball.
Mariners pitchers now have held opponents to two runs or fewer 50 times. They are 40-10 in those games.
ON TAP
Seattle hosts Kansas City in a 7:10 p.m. game today that will be televised on Root Sports. Probable starting pitchers: The Royals’ Jeff Francis (5-15, 4.72 ERA) vs. Blake Beavan (3-5, 4.33).
