PHILADELPHIA — Something about the Mariners brings out the best in Jerome Williams.
The righty took a three-hitter into the eighth inning, Andres Blanco hit his first homer in three years, and the Philadelphia Phillies beat Seattle 4-1 in an interleague game Monday.
Williams improved to 6-2 against the Mariners. He is 39-50 against the rest of the majors.
“He’s kind of had our number,” manager Lloyd McClendon said. “He threw the ball well.”
Seattle had won 12 of its previous 16 games. The Mariners fell into a tie with Detroit for the second wild-card spot in the AL while seeking their first postseason appearance since 2001.
Making his second start since joining the Phillies, Williams (1-0) allowed one run and three hits in seven-plus innings.
“He pitched good,” Robinson Cano said. “You have to give him credit.”
Mariners rookie Roenis Elias (9-10) gave up one run and three hits in four innings. The left-hander constantly pitched out of jams because he walked six and hit one batter with a pitch.
“I was erratic with my fastball,” Elias said through a translator. “I felt good physically, but it just wasn’t my day.”
Blanco connected for a three-run shot off reliever Dominic Leone in the fifth to give the Phillies a 4-0 lead. It was his first home run since July 1, 2011, for Texas against Florida.
The Phillies claimed Williams off waivers from Texas to fill a spot in the rotation after Roberto Hernandez was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Williams was 2-5 with a 6.71 ERA for the Rangers and Houston this season. But he has a 2.19 ERA in 12 1-3 innings with Philadelphia.
Marlon Byrd’s RBI double in the third gave the Phillies a 1-0 lead. Elias escaped further trouble by striking out Cody Asche with the bases loaded. Elias also left the bases full in the fourth by retiring Ryan Howard on a grounder.
Williams left after hitting Chris Taylor with a pitch leading off the eighth. Ken Giles entered and allowed an RBI double to Dustin Ackley with one out. Giles then struck out Cano and Kendrys Morales to leave runners on second and third.
“It was one of those games where we got ourselves out,” Cano said. “We had some pitches down the middle, but didn’t do much with them.”
Jonathan Papelbon pitched a scoreless ninth for his 29th save in 32 tries.
Trainer’s room
Mariners: RHP Felix Hernandez is fine after an early exit and plans to start at Boston on Friday night. The five-time All-Star left after five innings because he was hit by a one-hopper off Ian Kinsler’s bat in the fourth inning of his most recent start Saturday in Detroit.
Up next
Mariners: RHP Hisashi Iwakuma (11-6, 2.72 ERA) goes Tuesday night. He’s 3-1 with a 1.27 ERA in his last four starts.
Phillies: RHP A.J. Burnett (6-13, 4.35 ERA) tries to snap a five-game losing streak. Burnett hasn’t won since July 11. He’s 0-5 with a 6.54 ERA in his last six starts.
Welcome to Philly
The Mariners played their first game in Citizens Bank Park, which opened in 2004. Seattle swept a three-game series at Veterans Stadium in 2003 in its only other trip to Philadelphia. Phillies broadcaster Jamie Moyer earned a win for Seattle in that series at the Vet.
