Mariners edge Royals 2-1 on ninth inning run

Kansas City Royals' Alex Gordon (4) beats the tag by Seattle Mariners first baseman Logan Morrison (20) during a pickoff-attempt at first base during the seventh inning of a baseball game on Saturday, June 21, 2014, in Kansas City, Mo.
Kansas City Royals' Alex Gordon (4) beats the tag by Seattle Mariners first baseman Logan Morrison (20) during a pickoff-attempt at first base during the seventh inning of a baseball game on Saturday, June 21, 2014, in Kansas City, Mo.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Dustin Ackley drove in the go-ahead run with a two-out ninth inning single as the Seattle Mariners beat the Kansas City Royals 2-1 on Saturday.

Ackley's single to right on a 2-2 count scored Kyle Seager, who doubled with two outs to start the game-winning rally. Seager moved to third on Stefen Romero's infield single before Ackley's hit. Ackley is 5-for-10 off Jason Vargas (7-3), who took the loss.

After retiring the first dozen Royals, Chris Young yielded a home run to Alex Gordon to leadoff the fifth to tie the score at 1. Young gave up back-to-back singles to Salvador Perez and Justin Maxwell after Gordon's team-leading ninth home run. Perez, however, was out trying to stretch his into a double.

The Mariners bunched three hits leading off the third with Cole Gillespie's single to center scoring Brad Miller, who began the inning with a bunt single and stopped at second on James Jones' single.

Young, a 35-year-old right-hander who has had three shoulder surgeries including one last June, did not did not sign with the Mariners until March 27 after the Washington Nationals released him in spring training. He was pulled after seven innings, allowing only the run on Gordon's blast and three hits.

Yoervis Medina (4-1) replaced Young and worked a flawless eighth, striking out two to pick up the victory. He has not allowed a run and only three hits in his past 10 outings, covering 10 1-3 innings.

Fernando Rodney worked the ninth for his 20th save in 22 opportunities, getting Eric Hosmer to ground into a game ending double play.

Vargas gave up 10 hits and two runs in 8 2-3 innings, losing for the first time since May 19.

Robinson Cano went 0-for-4 to snap his 21-game road hitting streak, the longest in the majors this season.

NOTES: The Royals purchased the contract of OF Justin Maxwell from Triple-A Omaha and placed OF Nori Aoki on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left groin. The Royals transferred LHP Bruce Chen, who has a bulging disc, from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day DL. ... Fred VanVleet, Ron Baker and Tekele Cotton, who helped Wichita State reach the NCAA Final Four in 2013 and to an undefeated regular season in 2013-14, took part of the ceremonial first pitch. ... The Mariners have won nine of their past 10 day games.

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