Garcia gets first win in 2-1 victory over Minnesota

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SEATTLE — Freddy Garcia got his first win of the season in his sixth start and the Seattle Mariners scrapped their way to a 2-1 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Thursday night.

Garcia (1-1) outpitched Brad Radke in another fine performance — and finally got something to show for it. The right-hander threw seven strong innings, holding the Twins to one run on six hits with eight strikeouts and one walk.

Through his first five starts, Garcia had received only seven runs of support, but he improved to 4-0 lifetime against Minnesota and improved his ERA to 2.11 — third-best in the American League.

Eddie Guardado pitched a perfect ninth against his former team for his fifth save in seven chances. The Mariners also came away with their third series victory of the year and second straight after taking two of three from the Twins.

The Mariners rallied in eight of their 11 wins, and this one was no different.

Seattle took a 2-1 lead in the seventh, loading the bases with no outs against Juan Rincon (4-2). Pinch-runner Quinton McCracken, on base after Edgar Martinez's leadoff single, scored when Dan Wilson grounded into a double play.

Rincon caused his own troubles in pitching two-thirds of an inning. He gave up the hit to Martinez and walked John Olerud, then bobbled Rich Aurilia's sacrifice bunt for an error that loaded the bases.

Shannon Stewart put the Twins up 1-0 in the third with a double that scored Luis Rivas, who also doubled.

It was the first run Garcia has allowed at home, ending a 15-inning scoreless streak.

Seattle tied it at 1 in the sixth on Bret Boone's two-out RBI single to center. Ichiro Suzuki hit a one-out single and stole second when Scott Spiezio struck out swinging.

Radke was solid for six innings, allowing one run and four hits. He held Seattle to two singles through five innings but turned it over to Rincon after reaching 100 pitches.