Mariners Can't Get Offense Going In 7-0 Loss To Giants

SEATTLE (AP) With two starters scratched from the lineup just before the game, an early three-run deficit proved insurmountable for a Mariners team that has been struggling offensively.

Ryan Vogelsong and three relievers combined on a five-hitter to give San Francisco its major league-leading 11th shutout, a 7-0 victory over Seattle on Thursday night.

Seattle, which was held to two runs or less for the 26th time in 67 games, was without third baseman Kyle Seager, whose streak of 192 consecutive games played was halted by food poisoning, and second baseman Robinson Cano, who had a stiff lower back.

Vogelsong (5-5) allowed three singles over 6 2/3 innings, striking out six and walking two against the revamped Mariners lineup that had four of its final five hitters below .200.

"He established his fastball and honestly, once again kind of mixed everything," said Mariners shortstop Brad Miller, whose botched relay attempt on a potential double play helped the Giants' three-run second inning. "I saw a changeup, cutter, curveball. He wasn't afraid to throw his off-speed early and throw in to lefties. Just an overall good pitching job."

San Francisco capitalized on the fielding miscue for three second-inning runs off Mike Montgomery (1-2), who allowed four runs and seven hits in 7 1/3 innings.

The Giants loaded the bases with one out on a walk to Brandon Belt and consecutive singles by Andrew Susac andJustin Maxwell.

Joaquin Arias bounced to second baseman Dustin Ackley for what looked like a possible inning-ending double play, but Miller dropped the ball on the attempted relay after the force at second, allowing Belt to score and sending Susac to third.

Nori Aoki followed with an RBI single and Joe Panik's RBI double made it 3-0.

"It's always nice to have some points on the board," said Vogelsong, who was 0-3 with a 6.61 ERA in his first three starts in June after going 4-0 in May. "When you're going out there, it gives you a chance to attack the zone a little bit more and do some things that you probably wouldn't try to do in a closer game. So, yeah, that makes a big difference."

The Mariners, who have lost nine of their last 11 at home, chased Vogelsong with consecutive two-out singles in the seventh, but Javier Lopez retired Ackley on a bouncer to first. Including Ackley, left-handed batters are 2 for 37 off Lopez, including 0 for their last 27.

The Giants added four runs in the eighth, keyed by Matt Duffy's two-run triple.

Hunter Strickland walked two Mariners in the eighth, but Cruz lined into an unassisted double play at second to end the inning.

Seth Smith and Mark Trumbo opened the Seattle ninth with consecutive singles off Jeremy Affeldt, but Miller struck out and Willie Bloomquist bounced into another double play.

Montgomery has pitched at least six innings in each of his four career starts, but this was the first time he allowed more than two runs.

"For the most part, kept the ball down, settled down after that shaky second inning and really gave us some quality innings," Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon said.

He has been a very pleasant surprise for us . four starts that I would consider very quality starts," McClendon said. "He certainly gave us an opportunity to win a ballgame tonight. We just couldn't get any hits."

STREAK ENDS

Seager had the second-longest streak in the majors. Coincidentally, Atlanta's Freddie Freeman, who had the longest at 234 consecutive games, also missed Thursday's game due to a sprained right wrist.

"We sent Seager home with an IV bag and medicine," McClendon said. "I probably shouldn't have played Cruz. He was throwing up as well right before the game. He toughed it out and tried to give us what he had."

CRUZ SNAPS STREAK

Cruz snapped an 0-for-16 streak with a first-inning single to right. He has not homered since May 27.

INHERITANCE TROUBLES

Mariners reliever Tom Wilhelmsen faced just two batters, giving up a walk and Duffy's two-run triple. He has allowed 11 of 12 inherited runners to score this season.

UP NEXT

Giants: Rookie RHP Chris Heston (6-5) makes his second start since his no-hitter against the Mets to open the three-game series against the Dodgers. In his last start, he gave up three runs - two earned - and seven hits in five innings in a 4-0 loss to Arizona.

Mariners: LHP Roenis Elias (3-4) opens the three-series against the Astros and looks to bounce back after allowing eight runs - seven earned - and seven hits in 3 1/3 innings in his last start, a 13-0 loss at Houston.

Updated June 19, 2015