Mariners starting pitcher Brandon Maurer took one for the team Friday, pitching into the eighth inning despite being hit hard in a 6-1 loss to the Royals.
Maurer pitched a season-high 7 1/3 innings, his first time pitching past the fifth in four starts. He allowed six runs -- four earned -- while the Royals tagged him for 14 hits. He had no strikeouts or walks on 97 pitches in the loss, his first of the season.
Maurer dropped to 1-1 with the start, while his ERA actually fell slightly, to 6.20. He has allowed 29 hits in 20 1/3 innings heading into his next start, scheduled for Wednesday against the Rays.