<
>

M's homer in record 15th straight to start season

Second baseman Dee Gordon, with a sixth-inning blast on Thursday, pushed the Seattle Mariners into the record books for the longest season-opening home run streak in MLB history.

Gordon's solo shot to right field -- his first of the season -- against the Kansas City Royals extended the Mariners' streak to 15 games with a home run to open this season, surpassing the mark set by the 2002 Cleveland Indians.

Daniel Vogelbach also homered as Seattle rallied for a 7-6 win in 10 innings.

"The home run hitter hit one, too, so mine doesn't count," Gordon said after getting in on the home run action. "I was fine with doing what I was doing, just trying to play my game."

Every position player has homered for the Mariners, who lead the AL West -- and the majors -- with a 13-2 record.

Vogelbach's 427-foot blast had an exit velocity of 112.7 mph and brought his season total to six, one shy of Jay Bruce's team lead.

"This is a big ballpark, and he can make it look small," Mariners manager Scott Servais said of Vogelbach's line-drive homer. "Vogey's had great at-bats. He's got power, he knows the strike zone, he's feeling great at the plate right now. And with that personality, he gets everybody fired up from the first pitch all the way to the last one today."

Seattle leads the American League with 36 home runs and a .295 average through 15 games.

"What a team effort. Unbelievable series we had here and a great road trip and start to the season," Servais said. "Literally everybody in the bullpen and up and down the lineup is contributing. It's a great feeling. Confidence is building."