ST. PETERSBURG -- Mike Leake doesn't have overpowering stuff -- or overwhelming numbers, for that matter -- but the veteran right-hander has been one of the major catalysts in the Mariners' surge to the top of the American League West.
Leake handcuffed the Rays in Thursday's 5-4 series-opening win at Tropicana Field, allowing just two runs over eight-plus innings as he improved to 6-3 with a 4.46 ERA. The 30-year-old has gone 3-0 with a 2.79 ERA over his past six starts, all wins by a Seattle club that sits atop the AL West at 39-23.