SEATTLE — As Adrian Houser’s pitch count steadily climbed from a lot to absurd in the first inning, and the large crowd at T-Mobile Park basked in the endless Sunday afternoon sunshine, having already witnessed Ichiro throw out the ceremonial first pitch to Randy Johnson, Cal Raleigh hit his 45th homer of the season — a two-run laser to right — and a two-run single from Eugenio Suárez, an easy, drama-free victory and a series sweep of the Tampa Bay Rays seemed inevitable.

With Bryan Woo, the Mariners’ most consistent starting pitcher this season, on the mound, it wasn’t a question if Seattle would win, but by how much.

The answer: a 6-3 victory in a game that was far from easy for Seattle or Woo.

But margin of victory and style points don’t help the Mariners in their battle with the Hou

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