The Associated Press
Paul Abbott improved to 8-2 on the season with a strong outing in the Mariners' 6-1 win on Tuesday.

Red-hot Abbott quiets Arizona

M's starter wins sixth straight as Seattle finishes interleague

JIM COUR, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Originally published July 18

SEATTLE -- Another day, another win for the Seattle Mariners.

Paul Abbott won his career-best sixth straight decision, and Bret Boone and David Bell homered Tuesday to lead the Mariners over the Diamondbacks 6-1.

Abbott (8-2) allowed one run and six hits in 6 1-3 innings, struck out seven and walked three. His previous best had been five straight wins, from Aug. 21 to Oct. 2, 1999, with Minnesota.

"It's great to win six in a row, but it's also great to come to the clubhouse every day," Abbott said. "It's just a professional team. It comes to play every day. I expect us to win every day."

Bell hit a solo homer off Brian Anderson (2-6) for a 3-0 lead in the seventh, and Boone hit a two-run homer off Erik Sabel in a three-run eighth. Boone drove in three runs and leads the American League with 88 RBIs.

"I don't really care about my numbers," said Boone, who hit his team-leading 23rd homer. "We're going great as a team and that's all I care about."

Anderson, who lost his third straight start, gave up five runs and 10 hits in 7 1-3 innings.

"It is a constant battle with them," Anderson said. "They don't try to do too much. They get guys on third base, and they get sac flies to get the run in. They hit up the middle and go the other way when the situation dictates."

Seattle's bullpen pitched 2 2-3 innings, extending its scoreless streak to 19 innings since the All-Star break.

The Mariners were 4-2 in the homestand and finished 12-6 in interleague play.

"I'd say 12 and six is very good," said Boone, who spent seven seasons in the National League. "We just went out and beat the team with the best record over there. Anderson pitched a great game, but Abbott pitched a little better."

Arizona manager Bob Brenly likes the way the Mariners put together innings.

"They are a very good team at maintaining rallies," Brenly said. "When they get runners on base, they find a way to continue the inning. They have good team speed up and down with real good contact hitters that put the ball in play."

M's 6, D-Backs 1

- Record: 67-26.

- Today: Seattle (Moyer 9-5) at Kansas City (Durbin 6-8), 5 p.m. (FSN).

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