Cruz, Hernandez lead Seattle Mariners past Blue Jays 4-3

Toronto Blue Jays centre fielder Kevin Pillar, right, makes a diving attempt but gets tagged out at first base by Seattle Mariners first baseman Justin Ruggiano, left, during ninth inning AL baseball action in Toronto on Friday, May 22, 2015. (Nathan Denette/THE CANADIAN PRESS)

TORONTO -- Nelson Cruz had a double and a solo home run as the Seattle Mariners held off the Toronto Blue Jays for a 4-3 victory on Friday night.

Cruz leads the majors with 17 homers, and is best in the American League with 34 runs batted in.

Felix Hernandez (7-1) was dominant in the start for the Mariners (19-22), striking out eight, giving up four hits and a single run over seven innings. His seven wins leads the majors.

The 29-year-old Hernandez passed Catfish Hunter (2,012) on the all-time strikeout list, tying Orel Hershiser for 70th at 2,014.

Fernando Rodney earned his 11th save of the season, despite giving up two runs in the ninth inning.

Right-fielder Chris Colabello had a two-run home run and two singles to lead Toronto's (19-25) offence. Edwin Encarnacion had a home run and a double.

Marco Estrada (1-3) gave up four earned runs and struck out five over seven innings of work for the Blue Jays. Ryan Tepera and Steve Delabar gave up no runs in an inning each of relief.

Encarnacion put a solo shot over the left-field fence in the first inning for a 1-0 Toronto lead.

Logan Morrison hit a triple to right field to give Seattle a 2-1 lead in the fourth. Colabello appeared to have a bead on the hit, sliding on the turf for a catch, but missed. Centre-fielder Kevin Pillar recovered the ball while Morrison easily made it to third base as Kyle Seager and Wellington Castillo scored.

Mike Zunino added to that lead in the next at bat, hitting a double up the third-base line. A fan interfered with the play, giving Zunino second base and allowing Morrison to score.

Cruz made it 4-1 for the Mariners in the sixth inning, putting a 1-1 pitch from Estrada just over the right-field wall.

Mariners reliever Carson Smith held Toronto scoreless in the eighth inning before closer Rodney started to unravel in the ninth.

Encarnacion led the inning off with a double to right field. After Russell Martin popped out to Zunino behind home plate, Colabello blasted the ball to deep left field to make it 4-3.

Pillar was called out after video review showed that Morrison had tagged him just before reaching first base. Pinch hitter Josh Donaldson then flew out to deep centre field to end the game.

Notes: Announced attendance was 21,195. ... Munenori Kawasaki started at second base for the Blue Jays a day after being called up from triple-A Buffalo. He was added to the roster to take the spot of rookie infielder Devon Travis, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list late Thursday night, retroactive to May 17. Travis is out with an inflamed left shoulder.