O's Markakis overcomes early strikeouts, hits go-ahead homer vs. Mariners

SEATTLE (AP) -- The second time Nick Markakis struck out looking, he thought the pitch was so far outside that he almost dropped his bat, grabbed his helmet and jawed with plate umpire Brian Runge before manager Dave Trembley intervened.

"I very, very rarely say anything to umpires," Markakis said. "Mostly, it does no good."

It did plenty good Wednesday night. Angered, Markakis tied the game with an RBI groundout then hit a tie-breaking home run in the eighth inning to make Daniel Cabrera a winner in the Baltimore Orioles' 3-2 victory over the Seattle Mariners.

The Mariners lost more than the game. Carlos Silva, their most effective starter so far this season, left in the seventh inning with tightness in his right thigh that apparently happened while he caught his spikes in the dirt of the pitcher's mound on a pickoff throw.

Silva vowed he will make his next scheduled start next week in Cleveland, and Seattle manager John McLaren said "it didn't seem to be serious at all."

The Mariners are already missing ace Erik Bedard, who has been on the disabled list with hip inflammation since April 9 but is on track to return Saturday.

Markakis is back on track after his spate of strikeouts.

"It was blowing up a little bit," Markakis said of his emotions after Runge rung him up again in the fourth.

That came hours after the No. 3 hitter got a pregame talk from Trembley about not trying to carry this team in transition alone.

"Nick just needs to be himself," Trembley said. "I've been seeing Nick try to catch up in one at-bat maybe for the last five."

Markakis easily caught up to a high, 90 mph fastball, the first pitch he saw from left-hander Ryan Rowland-Smith (0-1) in the eighth. He sent it five rows into the bleachers beyond right field. McLaren had summoned Rowland-Smith to relieve Sean Green, who had allowed only a walk in 1 1/3 innings, because left-handers were 3-for-17 against him.

Make that 4-for-18.

"Ryan was trying to get the ball low and away and he split the plate," McLaren said, without offering more explanation.

Cabrera allowed five hits and two runs in eight innings while using a commanding fastball and a slow curve the Mariners continually chased in vain. He struck out five and retired his final 11 batters. The man who led the AL with 18 losses and 108 walks last season is 2-0 after walking none.

"I think for the first time in his career, Cabrera believes he can do it," Trembley said.

"I agree with that," replied Cabrera, who is 42-49 in five seasons, with his contract due to end this winter. "I've been around for a little while. I think it's time to get straight."

George Sherrill, acquired from Seattle in February with four others in the trade that brought Bedard to Seattle, allowed a leadoff single in the ninth to Raul Ibanez. But then Adrian Beltre flied out, Jose Vidro struck out and Richie Sexson fouled out for Sherrill's seventh save in seven chances.

Silva was sailing with a 2-0 lead behind a sacrifice fly in the first by Ibanez and a fielder's choice RBI in the fourth from Vidro. He had allowed just four hits before Brian Roberts led off the sixth with a single and Melvin Mora tripled. Markakis then tied the game with his groundout.

Silva walked Aubrey Huff to begin the seventh. After a called strike to Adam Jones, a trainer came to the mound and chatted with the burly right-hander for a moment. McLaren then came out, talked to his new No. 3 starter briefly and signaled to the bullpen for Green.

That ended Silva's quest to become the first starter to begin his Seattle career 4-0 since Jeff Fassero in 1997. The Mariners signed the former Twins starter in free agency last winter for $48 million. He's 3-0 with a 2.83 ERA in five starts through Wednesday's sudden departure.

Silva allowed six hits and two runs, struck out four and walked two in six-plus innings. It was the first time this season he hadn't lasted at least seven innings.

Game notes
Cabrera is 6-1 against Seattle in his career, 4-0 in Seattle. ... Willie Bloomquist replaced RF Brad Wilkerson in Seattle's lineup. Wilkerson has a tight right hamstring and is batting .178 in 15 games. Bloomquist will likely start Thursday and Friday against LHPs, too. McLaren said Bloomquist will continue to assume the platoon role Mike Morse briefly had with Wilkerson, before Morse dislocated his shoulder April 13. Morse had surgery Tuesday and is likely out for the season.