Josh Naylor homers as Mariners edge Cardinals to end 8-game road skid

Josh Naylor hit a tiebreaking home run and George Kirby won his third straight start as the Seattle Mariners defeated the host St. Louis Cardinals 3-2 Friday night in an interleague matchup.

The Mariners snapped a streak of eight consecutive road defeats.

Kirby (4-2) allowed two runs on five hits over six-plus innings. The right-hander walked one and struck out two.

Mariners closer Andres Munoz allowed a two-out single to Nathan Church in the bottom of the ninth before striking out Ramon Urias to earn his fourth save of the season.

Seattle broke a 2-2 tie in the sixth on Naylor's leadoff homer to right-center field off Cardinals starter Andre Pallante (2-2) on an 0-1 fastball.

The Cardinals threatened in the eighth. JJ Wetherholt lined a leadoff single to right off Gabe Speier and Ivan Herrera grounded a single to left. Speier struck out Alec Burleson before Eduard Bazardo came on to get Jordan Walker to ground into an inning-ending double play.

The Mariners opened the scoring in the second inning. Randy Arozarena led off with a line-drive double to right field and advanced to third on Luke Raley's flyout to center. With two outs, Cole Young grounded a run-scoring single.

Seattle doubled its advantage in the fourth as Naylor drew a leadoff walk, stole second and scored as Dominic Canzone grounded a single to left with two outs.

The Cardinals tied the score in the bottom of the inning. Burleson walked with one out before Walker grounded into a forceout. Nolan Gorman hit a ground-rule double down the right-field line, sending Walker to third, and Masyn Winn lined a two-run single to right.

Pallante pitched 5 1/3 innings and allowed three runs on four hits. The right-hander walked three and fanned a season-high eight, one shy of his career best.

--Field Level Media