SPORTS

Mariners' playoff hopes still alive after 7-5 win against Blue Jays

Gregory Strong The Canadian Press
Published Thursday, September 25, 2014 7:26PM EDT

Toronto Blue Jays Kevin Pillar steals second base from shortstop Chris Taylor at the bottom of fourth inning AL baseball action in Toronto on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014. (Frank Gunn / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

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TORONTO - Logan Morrison hit a three-run homer and added a solo shot to power the Seattle Mariners to a 7-5 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday at Rogers Centre.

The win ended the Mariners' five-game losing skid and kept their slim playoff hopes alive. Seattle (84-75) entered play three games behind the Kansas City Royals and Oakland Athletics in the race for the two American League wild-card spots.

Fernando Rodney gave up a solo homer to Kevin Pillar before picking up his major league-leading 47th save.

The Blue Jays (81-78) were eliminated from post-season contention earlier in the week. Manager John Gibbons gave several regulars the day off and inserted some of the team's late-season callups into the lineup.

Toronto left-hander Daniel Norris turned in a decent performance in his first big-league start. The 21-year-old rookie allowed one hit and two earned runs over 3 1/3 innings.

The Blue Jays scratched out a couple runs in the second inning for an early lead.