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SEATTLE -- Richmond, B.C., native James Paxton woke up Saturday morning to a text message from his father and the news that his grandfather, Lawrie, had unexpectedly passed away. Suddenly Paxtons first major league start for the Seattle Mariners took on more personal meaning. "That wasnt easy. A very close family and he was kind of the glue," Paxton said. "So it was great my family could make it down here tonight to watch me pitch and I know he was up there watching also. "It was really special to get this one tonight for him." Paxton threw six strong innings allowing just one earned run in his major league debut, Justin Smoak and Kendrys Morales hit solo homers and the Seattle Mariners continued Tampa Bay on their West Coast slide with a 6-2 win over the Rays on Saturday night. Paxton (1-0) became the latest Seattle prospect to make a successful debut, joining Taijuan Walker. Paxton shut out the Rays for five innings and his only mistake was giving up a two-run homer to Evan Longoria in the sixth. The Canadian became the third Seattle pitcher in club history to throw at least six innings and allow one earned run or less in his major league debut. He struck out three and walked one. Seattle manager Eric Wedge has been impressed with the demeanour and approach both Walker and Paxton have shown. "These guys have obviously had a lot of publicity the past couple of years, along with a few other guys, and I think the upside to that is you learn how to handle it at the minor league level and youre more prepared to defend yourself when you get up here and handle it appropriately," Wedge said. Tampa Bay lost for the seventh time in nine games on its swing through Seattle, Oakland and Los Angeles and saw its lead in the AL Wild Card race reduced to one game after both Cleveland and Baltimore won on Saturday. Tampa Bay had a chance to cut into the deficit in the seventh after reliever Tom Wilhelmsen started the inning with consecutive walks and a wild pitch to put runners at second and third with no outs. He got a shallow fly ball to right from Yunel Escobar for the first out and the runners had to hold. Desmond Jennings popped out to shortstop for the second out and Ben Zobrist flew out to deep right-centre to end the threat. The Rays entered the game hitting just .159 with runners in scoring position on their road trip and went 0-for-4 on Saturday. "Were just unable to get the hit when you need to," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "I know we gave up six runs, but sometimes youve got to score seven, youve got to score eight. Were still unable to really put an offence together." Paxton was a big reason why the Rays offence continued to struggle. The left-hander was the 11th Mariners player to make his major league debut this season. He didnt disappoint, with a fastball that hit 96 mph on the stadium radar gun. His first major league strikeout came in the third inning when he got Jennings swinging and Paxton retired 16 of the first 19 batters he faced. Paxton was cruising until the sixth when he finally made a mistake. Zobrist reached on a one-out error by Kyle Seager and Longoria quickly cut the deficit in half with a long homer to deep left-centre, his 29th of the season. The 421-foot blast off the out-of-town scoreboard was just the third hit of the night for the Rays. But Paxton finished off the inning without any more trouble. "He went right back in there throwing in the strike zone and thats what you need," Seattle catcher Mike Zunino said. "Honestly, Longoria has done it to a lot of people also so its not like he gave it up to someone he didnt have to worry about." Smoak went opposite field for his 16th homer of the season in the second inning off Tampa Bay starter Chris Archer (8-7) and Morales added his 19th homer in the third. It was Morales second homer in four games after going 34 games in July, August and early September with only one long ball. Seattle also squeezed home a run in the fifth inning on Abraham Almontes perfect bunt that scored Nick Franklin. Victoria native Michael Saunders and Franklin both had RBI doubles in the sixth as Seattle extended its lead. Notes: Rays RHP and Toronto native Jesse Crain, currently on the 60-day DL with a shoulder strain, threw a 26-pitch bullpen session on Saturday. Maddon said the plan is for Crain to throw another bullpen on Tuesday back home and proceed from there. ... Seattle prospect Danny Hultzen threw a 51-pitch simulated game on Saturday. Hes battled shoulder problems this season and will now go to instructional league before pitching in the Arizona Fall League. San Francisco 49ers Nick Bosa Jersey ." Bach is in Rome for the European Olympic Committees general assembly and meetings with Pope Francis. He also visited with Italian Premier Enrico Letta. "The prime minister appeared to be interested in a bid from Italy for 24, because he has realized that the games can serve as a catalyst for development for a city and a country," Bach told The Associated Press on Saturday. San Francisco 49ers Jalen Hurd Jersey .com) - The red-hot Los Angeles Kings take aim at an eighth straight victory on Monday night as they wrap up a road trip versus the Calgary Flames. http://www.cheap49ers.com/ .Y. -- Sore nose and all, Sidney Crosby had a goal and three assists to help Pittsburgh beat Buffalo 5-3 on Friday night, snapping the Penguins mini-slump and slowing the Sabres late-season surge. Discount San Francisco 49ers Jerseys . Cleveland has won the first two of this set and has won six straight games since losing back-to-back tilts to open the year. Seattle, on the other hand, has now lost six in a row following consecutive wins to kick off its campaign. Wholesale San Francisco 49ers Jerseys . Listen to the Rangers vs. Kings live on TSN Radio starting at 7pm et/4pm pt. You can also stream the post-game press conferences live on TSN.With rumours flying surrounding his former number one goalie and the injured centre he acquired at the 2013 NHL Draft, Maple Leafs GM Dave Nonis sounded as if nothing was imminent when it came to either the contract negotiations with Dave Bolland or the likelihood of a trade involving James Reimer. Nonis mentioned how the Leafs handled Tyler Bozaks negotiations last year in reference to Bollands status. “If youve got a player thats unrestricted it doesnt mean he wont sign if you dont sign him before the (July 1) deadline,” Nonis said, pointing out how the Leafs held onto Tyler Bozak despite his upcoming free agency before signing him in the off-season. “Im perfectly content letting the UFA”ss play it out and see where we are.dddddddddddd.” In response to the trade rumours surrounding Reimer, Nonis commented that he is in no rush to break up a goalie tandem that has played a key role in the teams success this season. “Weve been able to win games because of both of them and I think thats a strength of our group right now,” Nonis said of a tandem thats combined for the leagues fifth best save percentage despite facing nearly two shots per game more than any other NHL club. “Right now I dont see it as a smart move on our standpoint – at least from whats been offered to date -- to move either one of the goaltenders.” Nonis on Reimers status, options for Bolland Cheap Buffalo Sabres Gear Wholesale Calgary Flames Jerseys Cheap Adidas Colorado Avalanche Jerseys Montreal Canadiens Outlet Store Wholesale New Jersey Devils Jerseys Adidas Arizona Coyotes Jerseys Cheap Adidas Boston Bruins Jerseys Cheap Adidas Carolina Hurricanes Jerseys Chicago Blackhawks Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Columbus Blue Jackets Jerseys Dallas Stars Shop Free Shipping Cheap Adidas Detroit Red Wings Jerseys Anaheim Ducks Jerseys China Wholesale Edmonton Oilers Jerseys Florida Panthers Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Los Angeles Kings Jerseys Minnesota Wild Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Nashville Predators Jerseys Cheap Adidas New York Islanders Jerseys New York Rangers Winter Classic Jerseys Cheap Adidas Ottawa Senators Jerseys Cheap Adidas Philadelphia Flyers Jerseys Wholesale Pittsburgh Penguins Jerseys Cheap Adidas San Jose Sharks Jerseys St. Louis Blues Winter Classic Jerseys Wholesale Tampa Bay Lightning Jerseys Toronto Maple Leafs Outlet Store Vancouver Canucks Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Vegas Golden Knights Jerseys Cheap Adidas Washington Capitals Jerseys Cheap Adidas Winnipeg Jets Jerseys ' ' '