The San Francisco Giants (36-32) came into Safeco Field in Seattle on Thursday Night to try to even the season series with the Seattle Mariners (30-37) at 2-2.  

The Giants got just what they needed when All-Star second baseman Robinson Cano was ruled out with back stiffness and All-Star third baseman Kyle Seager ruled out because of food poisoning. With the Mariners missing key pieces, Giants pitcher Ryan Vogelsong (5-5, 4.38) pushed down his ERA to under 5.00 while giving up no runs and only three hits in 6.2 innings pitched. The Giants' bullpen followed his lead, giving up only two more hits for the rest of the ballgame. 

On the Mariners side, the 25-year old Mike Montgomery (1-2, 2.73) struggled early, allowing three runs in the second inning before settling in. Giants second baseman Joe Panik (.309) drove in the third run of the inning with his two-out double, his 16th of the year. In only his fourth career start, the young left-hander gave up only one more earned run, keeping his ERA under 3.00 while pitching 7.1 innings. 

The Giants fed off of the Mariners' bullpen late in the game, scoring four runs in the eighth inning once Montgomery was replaced. Mariners reliever Tom Wihelmsen was unable to record an out while giving up two earned runs in the eighth. Wihelmsen immediately gave up a two-run triple to Giants third baseman Matt Duffy (.293), who was 1 for 4 for the night. 

Center fielder Angel Pagan (.272) also scored a run for the Giants while going 2 for 5 to help keep the Giants only 2.5 games in back of first place in the N.L. West behind the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

For the struggling Mariners, Nelson Cruz (.309, 18 HR) once again was the only bright spot in the lineup for Seattle, going 1 for 3 while also reaching base with a walk. The loss drops the Mariners seven games under .500 and 9.5 games back of the surprising Houston Astros. 

The Mariners look to gain on the first-place Astros with a three-game home stand starting Friday at Safeco Field. 

For the Giants, they also look to gain on the first-place Dodgers in the N.L. West by starting a three-game series with them Friday in Los Angeles. 

WP: Ryan Vogelsong (5-5, 4.38)

LP: Mike Montgomery (1-2, 2.73)