SEATTLE -- Rookie left fielder Ben Gamel provided the pop and the glove on Friday as the Mariners topped the Angels, 4-3, in the series opener at Safeco Field to keep their fading American League WIld Card playoff hopes alive.
Gamel hit a three-run homer in the second inning to overcome the Halos' early 2-0 lead and then robbed Brandon Phillips of a home run in the sixth when he hauled in a drive at the top of the wall to help snap Seattle's three-game losing streak.
The loss dropped the Angels two games back of the Twins -- who won 8-5 at Kansas City -- for the second AL Wild Card position at 72-69.