Julio Rodríguez drives in 2 with infield single, Mariners throw 2-hitter in 4-2 win over Guardians

CLEVELAND (AP) — Julio Rodríguez drove in two runs with an infield hit and the Seattle Mariners snapped a seven-game road losing streak with a 4-2 victory Sunday over the Cleveland Guardians to salvage the three-game series finale.

With a combined two-hitter, the Mariners extended their lead to three games over the Guardians for the third AL wild-card spot. Seattle entered play two games up on Kansas City.

Randy Arozarena hit a two-run homer for the Mariners, who got six strong innings from Bryce Miller (4-5). The right-hander gave up just two hits — on consecutive pitches in the third.

Gabe Speier and Matt Brash each pitched a perfect inning and Andrés Muñoz worked the ninth for his 32nd save.

Daniel Schneemann hit a two-run homer for Cleveland.

Rodríguez's speed helped the Mariners snap a 2-2 tie in the seventh.

After two runners reached, Guardians starter Tanner Bibee (9-11) was lifted with one out for reliever Matt Festa, who got a groundout before intentionally walking slugger Cal Raleigh. Rodríguez followed with a ball up the middle and beat second baseman Schneemann's throw to first as J.P. Crawford and Cole Young scored.

The Guardians challenged, but the call was upheld by replay review.

Arozarena's 26th homer tied it 2-2 in the fifth.

Crawford singled, and one out later, Arozarena pulled Bibee's 2-1 pitch into the left-field bleachers for his first career homer in 96 at-bats against Cleveland.

Schneemann connected for his 11th homer in the third.

Schneemann was behind the bag at second and didn't have an angle to charge Rodríguez's fairly routine bouncer.

Miller improved to 7-1 in 13 career starts against AL Central teams.

Mariners: Luis Castillo (8-7, 3.75 ERA) starts a series opener at Tampa Bay on Monday against Shane Baz (8-11, 5.19).

Guardians: Open a three-game series Monday in Boston with rookie Parker Messick (1-0, 0.66 ERA) facing Brayan Bello (10-6, 2.99),

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Cleveland Guardians' Daniel Schneemann watches his two-run home run off Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryce Miller along with catcher Cal Raleigh during the third inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Tanner Bibee delivers against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryce Miller delivers against the Cleveland Guardians during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

Seattle Mariners' Randy Arozarena tosses his bat after hitting a two-run home run off Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Tanner Bibee during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodriguez hits an RBI single off Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Matt Festa during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong officials on Wednesday proposed expanding oversight of building maintenance projects and stronger fire safety steps after a blaze in November killed at least 161 people and displaced thousands.

The blaze that spread across seven towers in an apartment complex raised questions about corruption, negligence and government oversight in the city's building maintenance projects, piling pressure on Hong Kong leader John Lee’s administration and Beijing’s “patriots-only” governance system for the city.

In the newly elected legislature's first meeting, Lee said the fire exposed the need for reform and pledged that the investigation by law enforcement agencies and a judge-led independent committee would be thorough.

“We will fairly pursue accountability and take disciplinary action based on facts against anyone who should bear responsibility, regardless of whether they are from within or outside the government, or whether they are junior or senior staff,” Lee said.

To combat bid-rigging, Lee's administration proposed that the Urban Renewal Authority play a greater role in helping homeowners choose contractors for building maintenance projects.

Officials planned to set up a preselected list of consultants and contractors based on official background checks and past reviews from homeowners. The authority would facilitate homeowners in tendering and bid evaluation more.

The government also suggested requiring big renovation projects to hire a third-party professional to supervise the work, necessitating fire department's approval before shutting down major fire safety installations, and banning smoking on any construction site.

Proposals for law changes linked to the smoking ban were expected to be submitted for the legislature's review within the next few weeks, while officials were still discussing some of the other suggestions with the Urban Renewal Authority.

Authorities have pointed to substandard netting and foam boards installed during renovations at the Wang Fuk Court apartment complex as factors that contributed to the fire in November. They also said some fire alarms did not work in tests.

Political analysts and observers worried the tragedy could be the “tip of an iceberg" in Hong Kong, a city whose skyline is built on high-rise buildings. Suspicions of bid-rigging and use of hazardous construction materials in renovation projects across other housing estates have left many fearing the disaster could be repeated.

A man walks past the burnt buildings after a deadly fire that started Wednesday at Wang Fuk Court, a residential estate in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong's New Territories, Friday, Nov. 28 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

FILE - Smoke rises after a fire broke out at Wang Fuk Court, a residential estate in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong's New Territories, Nov. 26 2025. (AP Photo/Chan Long Hei, File)