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Top of Dodgers order puts forth strong offensive effort

Ramirez, Ethier and Gonzalez go 4-for-7, combine for three runs

PEORIA, Ariz. -- The hottest team in Spring Training just keeps on trucking.

The Mariners (8-1) hit two home runs to add to their league-leading total on Saturday, and they managed to net their eighth straight victory with a 9-5 win over the Dodgers. Franklin Gutierrez drove in four runs in the victory, which helped Seattle tie the longest Spring Training streak in franchise history.

Seattle's 20 home runs lead all big league clubs, and its eight-game winning streak is the team's longest since winning the final eight games of the Spring Training slate in 1993.

"There is something going on in Spring Training. Everybody is hitting homers," Gutierrez said. "I think it's something contagious when everybody's hitting. Everybody [else] starts hitting too. It's just fun to be around these guys and to see what's going to be the Opening Day lineup."

The Dodgers (3-4-2) scored in the first inning Saturday, when they used singles from Hanley Ramirez and Andre Ethier and a double play to get on the board. Ethier came back in the third inning with a triple off the fence in right-center, and he came around to score on a single by Adrian Gonzalez.

Seattle answered in the third inning on a solo homer by rookie catcher Mike Zunino, and after an error, Gutierrez homered over the left-field fence to tie the game. The Mariners mounted another rally against Chad Billingsley in the fourth inning, and Gutierrez drove home two runs on a double.

Seattle starter Hisashi Iwakuma worked two innings and allowed two hits in the game, and veteran Jeremy Bonderman allowed three hits and two earned runs in two innings of work. Catcher John Hicks broke the game open with a two-run double in the seventh and scored on a wild pitch.

Veteran Chris Capuano started for the Dodgers and retired the game's first six batters before allowing Zunino's home run to lead off the third inning. Billingsley got seven outs for the Dodgers, but he was charged with five hits and three earned runs before leaving in the bottom of the sixth.

Up next for Dodgers: Matt Kemp is expected back in the lineup Sunday as the designated hitter for the Dodgers against Cleveland at Camelback Ranch. Kemp made his debut Friday going 0-for-2 with a strikeout in his first game back from left shoulder surgery. He could play the outfield as soon as Tuesday. Josh Beckett will be the starting pitcher for the Dodgers.

Spencer Fordin is a reporter for MLB.com.
Read More: Los Angeles Dodgers, Andre Ethier, Steve Ames, Hanley Ramirez, Mark Lowe, Peter Moylan, Javy Guerra, Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Wall, Josh Beckett, Chris Capuano, Chad Billingsley