Walker’s 3-hitter helps Mariners beat Angels 8-0

Seattle second baseman Robinson Cano went 3-for-5 with a homer in Monday’s game and the blast matched his career high of 33 that he hit in 2012 for the New York Yankees.TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, ROOT (Seattle), FSN West (Los Angeles) PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Taijuan Walker (5-10, 4.64 ERA) vs. Angels RH Alex Meyer (0-2, 7.71) Walker lasted just two-thirds of an inning against the Angels on September 3, serving up consecutive homers to Kole Calhoun, Trout and Albert Pujols while allowing six runs (five earned) and six hits. He lasted just 3 1/3 innings – allowing one run and one hit – against Oakland on Wednesday when he struck out five but four walks helped lead to the early exit.

Walker (6-10) was flawless through 5 2/3 innings before Kaleb Cowart hit a grounder to shortstop Ketel Marte, who threw wild to Daniel Vogelbach at first base.

On Tuesday night, they barely got any hits off him.

Martin lined the splitter down the right field line and may have been able to stretch it into a triple, but the ball was picked up by a fan before right fielder Kole Calhoun could get to it and had to settle for a double on fan interference. It was his first complete game since July 31, 2015.

“My legs were getting heavy, my stomach was starting to tingle”, Walker said. “I did a good job of staying on a two-strike splitter there and (Martin) hit it down the line”.

Ricky Nolasco (5-14) gave up four earned runs on six hits in his second straight loss. Smith’s was the biggest blow, a grand slam in the sixth inning that turned the game into a rout.

Miranda was acquired from the Baltimore Orioles for Wade Miley a few days before the Angels traded Hector Santiago for Nolasco and Alex Meyer. Ben Gamel added his first major league homer, a two-run shot to left-center in the eighth inning to close the scoring. SS Andrelton Simmons remained out of the lineup for the second straight day with a bruised right hand. LHP Tyler Skaggs will miss his start with left forearm soreness and will undergo an MRI. Simmons injured the hand in Sunday’s series finale against the Rangers and is day-to-day. The Seattle Mariners have won seven straight games and have narrowed the gap in their pursuit of the playoffs. Skaggs had Tommy John surgery in 2014 and was slated to make his 10th start since his return.

Angels: RHP Jhoulys Chacin will take Skaggs’ place in the rotation. Hisashi Iwakuma (15-11, 3.96 ERA) is scheduled to start for Seattle.