SEATTLE — Randy Arozarena hit a go-ahead, three-run home run in the third inning as part of a four-RBI night as the Seattle Mariners beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-3 on Tuesday to maintain a 1 1/2-game lead for the final AL wild card.

Arozarena hit his 27th homer, four more than his previous career high. He turned on a fastball down the middle from Matthew Liberatore (7-12), a no-doubt drive that prompted Arozarena to stunt a pose in the direction of the Mariners' dugout.

Then in the fifth inning, Arozarena added to Seattle's lead with a sacrifice fly in an inning that included Josh Naylor's 19th homer, a solo drive.

Seattle kept pace with Texas, which won 5-4 at Milwaukee to remain 1 1/2 games back of Seattle.

George Kirby allowed three runs and seven hits over four sluggish innings.

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