Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Marco Gonzales delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, Calif., on Monday, Aug. 31, 2020. (Kyusung Gong/Associated Press)

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Marco Gonzales delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, Calif., on Monday, Aug. 31, 2020. (Kyusung Gong/Associated Press)

MARINERS: Gonzales dominates Angels in 4-hit win

M’s take victory

By Greg Beacham | The Associated Press

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Marco Gonzales retired 21 consecutive Angels while throwing a four-hitter, and Jose Marmolejos hit a tiebreaking homer in the sixth inning of the Seattle Mariners’ 2-1 victory over Los Angeles on Monday.

Gonzales (4-2) had eight strikeouts and didn’t walk a batter until the ninth inning of his second career complete game. After Justin Upton’s leadoff homer in the second inning, Gonzales retired every batter he faced until pinch-hitter Shohei Ohtani’s leadoff single in the ninth.

Andrelton Simmons followed Ohtani with another single, but Mike Trout hit a line drive right at third baseman Kyle Seager for a double play. Anthony Rendon drew Gonzales’ first walk of the day on four pitches, but Albert Pujols popped out meekly to shortstop to end Gonzales’ third victory over the Angels already this season.

Marmolejos and Jake Fraley had two hits apiece as the Mariners rallied to split a four-game series at the Big A after losing the first two.

Both of these AL West clubs are outside the playoff picture, which turned them into sellers at Monday’s trade deadline. Seattle made multiple big moves that led to the departures of closer Taylor Williams, catcher Austin Nola and relievers Austin Adams and Dan Altavilla, while the Angels dealt big leaguers Tommy La Stella, Brian Goodwin and Jason Castro.

Gonzales worked quickly and decisively while throwing 102 pitches in an overwhelming performance that underlined his ace status for Seattle — particularly when he’s facing the Angels, who have no answers for left-handed pitchers of his caliber.

Simmons singled to lead off the first inning, but it was actually a popup that got lost in the sun, and Gonzales retired the next three Angels.

Upton then connected in the second inning for his fourth homer of the season. The veteran outfielder appears to be emerging from a horrific slump that included just two hits over four weeks, and Goodwin’s departure likely means everyday playing time for Upton in September.

But the Angels didn’t get another baserunner until Ohtani’s broken-bat single in the ninth.

Seattle tied it in the third when Fraley tripled to right and scored on a single by Joseph Odom, who’s likely to play more regularly with Nola’s departure.

Marmolejos put the Mariners ahead with his third homer in five days, connecting off reliever Matt Andriese (1-2) after Jaime Barria pitched five-hit ball into the fifth inning of a spot start for the Angels.

Jahmai Jones made his major league debut as a pinch-runner for Simmons in the ninth inning.

Trainer’s room

Dylan Moore could rejoin the active roster this week, Seattle manager Scott Servais said. He has been out for 10 days with a sprained right wrist. Catcher Tom Murphy isn’t close to making his season debut after breaking a bone in his foot. That means the Mariners will go with rookies Odom and Joe Hudson as their catchers, at least until new acquisition Luis Torrens is ready to play.

Two games postponed

The Mariners are headed home to Seattle, but won’t play until Thursday at the earliest.

The first two games of a three-game series with the Oakland Athletics have been postponed after a positive COVID-19 test in the A’s organization.

Results from tests done Sunday afternoon yielded no more positive results. All remaining A’s players and staff members tested negative for COVID-19.

Oakland has not identified which member of the traveling party tested positive. It’s unclear whether the positive test came from a player, a coach or another staff member.

More in Sports

The Port Angeles Illusion fastpitch softball team won the 14U C state championship Sunday by beating the Bonney Lake Firecrackers 13-3 in the title game. From left, top row, are Jenessa Balch, assistant coach Leeah Faris, coach Warren Stevens, Teyah Elofson, Riley Nichols, Brooklyn Rondeau, Misty McNeely, McKenna Cox, Sophia Calderon, Britney Rowland and Greg Faris. From left bottom row, are Ayla Balch, Kylin Weitz, Alexia Fuller, Mattie Messenger, Tyann Connary, Kailyn Crowder and Pearl Salazar.
STANDALONE PHOTO: Illusion 14U are state champs

The Port Angeles Illusion fastpitch softball team won the 14U C state… Continue reading

Wilder Baseball Club.
AMERICAN LEGION BASEBALL: Wilder Jr. shuts out Wollochet behind DeLeon

Wilder Junior completed a sweep over Wollochet with four-hit… Continue reading

Port Angeles Lefties.
WEST COAST LEAGUE: Lefties swept by first-place Apple Sox

Despite a grand slam home run from Jeremy Giesegh, the… Continue reading

Strait Slice Pizza won the Peninsula Soccer League championship this weekend. From left, kneeling (not including children), are Kaye Thomas, Kelsey Kuhn, Beckie Lee, Mel Messineo, Taryn Asmus, Victoria Jones and Jack Waknitz. From left, standing, are Sam Havens, Ian Miller, Christine Loewe, Alli Roth, Aaron Lee, Kyle Henderson, Jimmy Quigley, Luke Strong-Cvetich, Zach Gray, Isaiah Jindrich and Minh Pham-Bui.
PENINSULA SOCCER LEAGUE: Strait Slice league champions

Strait Slice Pizza won the Peninsula Soccer League championship this weekend. From… Continue reading

Wilder Senior’s Bryant Laboy hits a chopper against Whatcom Post No. 7 while Landen Olson waits in the on-deck circle. Wilder Senior was able to win the pitchers’ duel with a walk-off hit in the bottom of the seventh by Braydan White. (Pierre LaBossiere/Peninsula Daily News)
AMERICAN LEGION: Wilder Senior wins four straight

Senior’s Ethan Staples fires no-hitter

Port Angeles Lefties.
WEST COAST LEAGUE: Lefties drop pair of games to Wenatchee

The Port Angeles Lefties couldn’t have had two more different… Continue reading

KEITH THORPE/PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
Lefties first baseman Will White tries to catch Seattle Gumberoos baserunner Eoin Buechs off the bag during Thursday's game at Port Angeles Civic Field.
PORT ANGELES LEFTIES: Lefties sweep the Gumberoos after 9-1 victory

The Port Angeles Lefties completed a three-game sweep over… Continue reading

Crab season begins in marine areas surrounding the North Olympic Peninsula on July 3. (Annie Johnson/WDFW)
OUTDOORS: Recreational crabbing season to open July 3

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced Puget Sound… Continue reading

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife completed the purchase late last month of the Sekiu boat ramp. (WDFW)
OUTDOORS: WDFW completes purchase of Sekiu boat launch

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has finalized its… Continue reading

Westport won its second straight Olympic Junior Babe Ruth championship, beating Local 155 6-3 on Wednesday. Front row, on knee, is Kade Johnstad. Middle row, from left, is bat boy Hans, Tristan Konopaski, Kayden Morrison, Zach Clay, Abe Brenkman, Easton Prchal, Parker Pavlak, Lane Wilson, Noah Johnstad, Jay Lieberman, Easton Prchal, Aidan Smith, Dakota Morrison and assistant coach Jared Johnstad. Back row, from left, is assistant coach Nick Cannady, head coach Carey Pavlak and assistant coach Matt Prchal.
OLYMPIC JUNIOR BABE RUTH: Westport wins back-to-back titles

Westport won back-to-back Olympic Junior Babe Ruth championships, beating… Continue reading

Port Angeles Lefties.
PORT ANGELES LEFTIES: Lefties win second straight over Seattle

The Port Angeles Lefties beat the Seattle Gumberoos 7-2… Continue reading

AREA SPORTS BRIEFS: Sprague resigns as Crescent volleyball coach

Kimber Sprague has announced her resignation as head volleyball coach… Continue reading