Rockies narrowly beat the Mariners 3-2 in a tightly contested game

Kyle Kendrick pitched five innings of two-run ball while striking out four in a closely contested game that saw the Rockies edge out the Mariners by a score of 3-2. It was Kendrick's third start since returning from the DL and he pitched efficiently through five innings. While Kendrick ran into some trouble during the fourth inning, the veteran pitcher was able to escape the inning after allowing two innings and didn't relinquish the Rockies' lead.

The Rockies struck first, scoring once in the third inning thanks to some nice work by Charlie Blackmon. After drawing a walk and advancing to second on DJ LeMahieu's ground out, Blackmon stole his 38th base of the year and scored on Nolan Arenado's sac fly. Seattle's Logan Morrison tried to steal a base of his own in the following half inning, but Dustin Garneau gunned him down as the Mariner was caught stealing for the third time this season.

Wilin Rosario got things going in the next inning with a leadoff ground-rule double before Justin Morneau drew a walk. That put an end to James Paxton's night, who made way for Mayckol Guaipe. The reliever loaded the bases in the next at-bat after Cristhian Adames reached on a deflected bunt-single. A throwing error by Kyle Seager allowed Dustin Garneau to take second and plated Rosario and Morneau. Mayckol loaded the bases again after intentionally walking Charlie Blackmon, but LeMahieu lined into an unassisted double play to let the Mariners off the hook.

The Rockies bullpen took over in the sixth inning and the trio of Scott Oberg, Jairo Diaz, and Justin Miller combined to pitch three scoreless innings. They allowed just one hit and struck out two to set things up for John Axford. The closer started off the ninth by whiffing Nelson Cruz in an eight-pitch at-bat before allowing a single to Robinson Cano. Axford then struck out Mark Trumbo and got Seth Smith to fly out for his 23rd save of the year.

<iframe src="http://www.fangraphs.com/graphframe.aspx?config=0&static=0&type=livewins&num=0&h=450&w=450&date=2015-09-13&team=Mariners&dh=0" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" height="450" width = "450" style="border:1px solid black;"></iframe><br /><span style="font-size:9pt;">Source: <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/livewins.aspx?date=2015-09-13&team=Mariners&dh=0&season=2015">FanGraphs</a></span>

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<th colspan=2>Roll Call Info</th>

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<tr><td width=150>Total comments</td><td>153</tr>

<tr class="alt"><td>Total commenters</td><td>13</tr>

<tr><td>Commenter list</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Ducks_RockiesFan">Ducks_RockiesFan</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/ESterps08">ESterps08</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Matt%20Gross%20(RhodeIslandRoxfan)">Matt Gross (RhodeIslandRoxfan)</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/NY%20Rox%20Fan">NY Rox Fan</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Northsider1964">Northsider1964</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/PurpleToPurple">PurpleToPurple</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Roxman4ever">Roxman4ever</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/SDcat09">SDcat09</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/The%20Lodo%20Magic%20Man">The Lodo Magic Man</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/butterfly2">butterfly2</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/chickenfoof">chickenfoof</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/goddess%20of%20chaos">goddess of chaos</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/holly96">holly96</a></tr>

<tr class="alt"><td>Story URLs</td><td><div><a href="http://www.purplerow.com/2015/9/13/9319301/game-no-143-thread-kyle-kendrick-vs-james-paxton">http://www.purplerow.com/2015/9/13/9319301/game-no-143-thread-kyle-kendrick-vs-james-paxton</a></div>

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<th width=20>#</th><th>Commenter</th><th># Comments</th>

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<td>1</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/butterfly2">butterfly2</a></td><td>41</td>

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<td>2</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/ESterps08">ESterps08</a></td><td>26</td>

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<td>3</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/SDcat09">SDcat09</a></td><td>22</td>

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<td>4</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Roxman4ever">Roxman4ever</a></td><td>12</td>

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<td>5</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/The%20Lodo%20Magic%20Man">The Lodo Magic Man</a></td><td>11</td>

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<td>6</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Northsider1964">Northsider1964</a></td><td>11</td>

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<td>7</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/PurpleToPurple">PurpleToPurple</a></td><td>9</td>

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<td>8</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/holly96">holly96</a></td><td>7</td>

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<td>9</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/NY%20Rox%20Fan">NY Rox Fan</a></td><td>6</td>

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<td>10</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/goddess%20of%20chaos">goddess of chaos</a></td><td>3</td>

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<td>11</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Matt%20Gross%20(RhodeIslandRoxfan)">Matt Gross (RhodeIslandRoxfan)</a></td><td>3</td>

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<td>12</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/chickenfoof">chickenfoof</a></td><td>1</td>

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<td>13</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Ducks_RockiesFan">Ducks_RockiesFan</a></td><td>1</td>

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