CINCINNATI — Franklin Gutierrez hit a three-run homer that landed high in the upper deck on Saturday, and Felix Hernandez allowed only four singles in six innings, leading the Seattle Mariners to a 4-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on a day when they honored their shared star.
The Reds gave away Ken Griffey Jr. bobbleheads depicting him in both uniforms, and they played a message from him on the videoboard. Junior became a star in Seattle and was later traded to his hometown team. The Reds had him in mind when they designed Great American Ball Park with a short distance in right field.
Cincinnati lost its sixth in a row, matching its season high.
Gutierrez sent his decisive homer 473 feet the other way in the fourth inning off John Lamb (0-2). Leonys Martin also had a solo shot off the left-hander, who lasted six innings. Cincinnati has given up 75 homers in 43 games, by far the most in the majors.
Hernandez (4-3) has handled the Reds in his two career starts against them, throwing a five-hitter for a complete game in 2010. He walked three, struck out five and twice retired Joey Votto with the bases loaded for the final out of an inning.
The Mariners have dominated Junior’s hometown team, winning 12 of 14 in their interleague series.
The Reds have been outscored 55-19 during their slump. Cincinnati pitchers have retired the side in order only nine times in the 55 innings during the losing streak.
Seattle improved to 17-7 on the road, the AL’s best mark. The Mariners have won seven of their eight road series and split the other one.
The Reds have six starters on the disabled list and got a fright in the fourth when Nelson Cruz lined a ball off Lamb’s upper left arm. Lamb threw a practice pitch and stayed in the game. Dae-Ho Lee reached on third baseman Eugenio Suarez’s error, and Gutierrez hit his second homer to snap an 0-for-12 skid.
Trainer’s room
Mariners: SS Ketel Marte sprained his left thumb in the fifth, when he reached on an infield single and stole second and third. Shawn O’Malley replaced him in the field for the bottom of the inning.
Reds: RF Jay Bruce was a late scratch with a sore left knee. SS Zack Cozart got the day off. … Manager Bryan Price said rehab plans have been mapped out for the Reds’ injured starters. If all goes well, Anthony DeSclafani, Raisel Iglesias and Michael Lorenzen could be back sometime in June. Homer Bailey isn’t expected back until July at the earliest as he recovers from Tommy John surgery.
Up next
Mariners: LH Wade Miller (4-2) is 4-0 with a 2.62 ERA over his last five starts.
Reds: Alfredo Simon (1-4) gave up 10 runs and 14 hits in only 4 1/3 innings of a 13-1 loss in Cleveland on Tuesday.
