Ryne Nelson gives up 4 homers as Mariners shut down Diamondbacks

The Diamondbacks didn’t give starter Ryne Nelson much help as Arizona was shut down Saturday, 5-1, by the Seattle Mariners to lose its second straight game.

Seattle’s first four runs all came via the long ball. Ryne Nelson gave up five hits across the first four innings and four of the five were solo homers.

To match the Mariners’ explosive offense Saturday night, Bryan Woo pitched lights out.

Seattle’s starter went seven innings, allowing just two hits and striking out nine batters. Woo didn’t allow a base runner in six of his seven innings.

Adrian Del Castillo, Ryan Waldschmidt and Ildemaro Vargas provided the D-backs’ three hits on the night. Two of them came in the fifth inning, the only time Arizona got anything going.

Del Castillo hit a one-out single, and Vargas followed a Waldschmidt groundout to give the Diamondbacks their first runner in scoring position, but Jose Fernandez struck out to end the threat.

The Diamondbacks’ lone run came in the ninth inning after Geraldo Perdomo drew a two-out walk. The D-backs shortstop advanced to second on a defensive indifference and then advanced from second base to home on a wild pitch where the pitcher forgot to cover home plate.

While it was a lapse in focus from the Mariners, the play had no effect on the game except for ending the shutout.

The Diamondbacks have lost their first series since May 13 and will look to avoid the sweep on Sunday.

The Diamondbacks will have Merrill Kelly (5-3, 5.25 ERA) on the mound, and the Mariners will have Bryce Miller (1-0, 2.25 ERA) pitch the series finale.

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