Kelenic, Hernández homer to lead Mariners past Phillies 5-3

Updated Apr. 25, 2023 10:17 p.m. ET

Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jarred Kelenic hit a solo home run, double and single, Teoscar Hernández also went deep and the Seattle Mariners opened a nine-game trip with a 5-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night.

Jose Caballero and J.P. Crawford also drove in runs for the Mariners.

“Great way to start the trip,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said.

Edmundo Sosa homered for the defending NL champion Phillies, who had won three in a row and were trying to reach .500 for the first time this season.

Marco Gonzales (2-0) gave up one run on four hits in five innings.

“His secondary pitches are pretty good and he throws strikes,” Philadelphia manager Rob Thomson said. “He keeps hitters offbalance. He changes speeds behind in the count, throws strikes, gets ahead of hitters. He can pitch.”

Gonzales’ start was moved up a day after scheduled starter Logan Gilbert experienced muscle spasms in his right pitching shoulder during a throwing session on Sunday. Gilbert felt better on Tuesday, but the Mariners pushed him back a day as a precaution.

“I feel like I’ve been locked in,” Gonzales said. “I’m not trying to do too much. I was ready to go.”

Paul Sewald gave up a run in the ninth, but recorded his seventh save.

Kelenic staked Seattle to a 1-0 lead in the fifth with a one-out solo shot to deep right-center field off Bailey Falter (0-4).

“Jared's in such a good spot,” Servais said. “It doesn't matter who's out on the mound right now. He's so locked in. Love where he's at.”

It was Kelenic’s seventh homer of the season and third in as many games.

“Feeling really good right now,” Kelenic said. “Everybody goes through it. Just trying to simplify things, and it’s working right now.”

Falter gave up three earned runs on six hits in six innings.

“If you watch most games, guys make one or two mistakes -- or more -- each game,” Thomson said. “But, lately, it’s been costing him because he’s pitched better than his record.”

The Mariners took a 4-1 lead in the sixth on Hernández’s two-run drive to left.

The Phillies threatened in the sixth, loading the bases with one out against right-hander Matt Brash. But first baseman Ty France made a stellar diving stop on Alec Bohm’s hard liner and got the second out at second base to prevent a possible big inning for the Phillies. Kyle Schwarber scored on the play to pull Philadelphia within 4-2, but Brash fanned Sosa to end the frame and prevent further damage.

STILL STREAKING

Seattle’s Eugenio Suárez extended his on-base streak to a career-high 20 consecutive games with a sixth-inning double.

Philadelphia’s Brandon Marsh also made it 20 straight games, reaching base with a seventh-inning single.

DOG DAYS OF APRIL?

The Phillies sold more than 61,000 hot dogs on dollar-dog night that helped draw a sellout crowd of 42,323 on a cool, beautiful spring evening in Philadelphia.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Mariners: INF/OF Dylan Moore received a cortisone shot during a follow-up on Tuesday to the Philadelphia doctor who performed his offseason core surgery. Moore has not appeared in a game this season.

Phillies: OF Bryce Harper (Tommy John surgery right elbow) took live batting practice and ran the bases again prior to Tuesday’s game. Harper could be back hitting as DH as soon as early May. … LHP Ranger Suárez (left elbow strain) threw a bullpen session on Tuesday and is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment on Thursday at Double-A Reading. … Right-handed reliever Nick Nelson (left hamstring strain) also is scheduled to rehab at Double-A Reading on Thursday.

UP NEXT

Gilbert (1-1, 3.57) opposes Phillies RHP Taijuan Walker (2-1, 3.80) in the second game of the three-game series on Wednesday night.

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