Hart Powers Mariners Past the Angels in Home Opener

Cory Hart hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the third inning to give the Mariners a 4-3 lead against the Los Angeles Angels last night in the Mariners home opener.  Hart, who missed all of last year recovering from two knee surgeries, added a solo shot in the 7th inning as the Marines beat the Angels 5-3 for their fourth straight win over LA this year.

The Mariners were the final major league league team to open at home.  Before the game the Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks were honored. The sellout crowd cheered for Quarterback Russell Wilson, Coach Pete Carroll, Super Bowl MVP Malcolm Smith and other members of the team.  The Wilson threw out the first pitch to Mariners Ace Felix Hernandez.

Seattle improved to 4-0 against the Angels this season. Seattle scored four times with two outs in the third inning capped by Hart's homer off starter Hector Santiago (0-2). Hart added a line-drive solo shot in the seventh.

Seattle starter James Paxton (2-0) gave up two first-inning homers, then retired 14 straight. He left in the sixth inning after straining a muscle on the left side of his back.

The Mariners take on the Angels again tonight.  Rookie Roenis Elias is on the mound for Seattle, Garrett Richards is on the mound for the Angels.

With the win last night Seattle improved to 5-2, in first place in the American League West.