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A strong drive into the sixth by starter Miles Mikolas hit its only speedbump with a two-run lead at stake and limited available right-handed pitchers out of the bullpen. The need to hold and secure close games this past weekend meant the Cardinals did not have their usual assortment of late-inning right-handers. ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ would need someone to step into a new lane and thrive.

That is where the game ruptured.

The Mariners scored four runs in the decisive sixth inning against reliever Gordon Graceffo and then held on from there for a 4-2 victory at T-Mobile Field. Josh Naylor’s two-run double was the difference in the score as the Cardinals misplaced their two-run lead in the series of three batters.

Andres Munoz pitched a scoreless ninth for his 33rd save.

Both starters, Bryan Woo and Mikolas, were perfect through the first three innings. Woo (13-7) tied a career high with nine strikeouts, and Mikolas was equally successful just taking a different route. Mikolas allowed two runs on four hits through five innings, but all of the runs on his line came after he left the mound with the Cardinals still leading by the 2-0 gap Alec Burleson provided with his home run. But Mikolas also left behind the tying run on base.

Game flips on Graceffo

The options manager Oli Marmol had out of the bullpen shaped his choice sixth.

The Cardinals wanted to avoid using Riley O’Brien after he got the win Saturday and the save Sunday. They preferred not to turn to Matt Svanson and also wanted to avoid calling on Kyle Leahy. That effectively put the Cardinals’ highest-leverage right-handers out of the equation for the evening, and that explained why in a bind Graceffo got the call.

That is where the game flipped.

Graceffo entered in the sixth inning with the tying run on base and no outs.

Mikolas had started the inning with No. 9 hitter Leo Rivas up. The veteran invited trouble by walking Rivas to turn the inning over and get it back to Randy Arozarena. Against the former Cardinals’ prospect, Mikolas gave up a single. It was only the fourth hit he allowed all game. But it was enough to chase him from his start at a spot when he could lose the win but not gain a loss.

The hitter there to greet Graceffo was only Cal Raleigh, the Mariners’ catcher who is on the brink of history this week. Raleigh has 53 homers and he’s one shy of tying Mickey Mantle for the most ever in a single season by a switch-hitter. Raleigh has 113 RBIs to outfit his MVP candidacy, and here he was facing Graceffo with a chance to obliterate the Cardinals’ lead with one swing.

He did not get that chance.

Graceffo walked Raleigh to the load the bases.

What followed was a flurry of events to unload them.

Julio Rodriguez broke the Cardinals’ shutout with an RBI single to score Rivas. Naylor, the former Diamondback the Mariners acquired at the trade deadline, ripped a double that tied the game, broke the tie, and provided the Cardinals their first out. Two teammates, including Raleigh, scored on the double. Rodriguez came around and tried to score, but shortstop Masyn Winn’s relay throw beat him by several strides.

The scoring wasn’t over for the Mariners, though.

Jorge Polanco lifted a sacrifice fly to right field to score Naylor and push them out to a 4-2 lead. Two of the runs went on Mikolas’ line, though they both scored on pitches he did not throw. Graceffo allowed two runs while getting the three outs of the sixth inning. He was helped in the end by a diving play at third base from Nolan Gorman.

Burleson back, blasts for lead

It didn’t take long for the Cardinals to take the lead after ending Woo’s perfect run through the Cardinals’ lineup.

It sure helped to have Burleson back in.

After a weekend spent without their leading home run hitter and their top hitter for average, the parade of returns began Monday with Burleson coming off the injured list. In his second at-bat, Burleson launched his 17th homer of the season. The two-run shot came immediately after Ivan Herrera’s single and vaulted the Cardinals to the early 2-0 lead.

Woo had returned 10 consecutive Cardinals to begin his start. During one stretch in the early inning, he struck out four of the five Cardinals he faced.

Herrera roped a one-out single in the fourth inning for the first hit of the game from either team, and Burleson followed with his loft to center field. Burleson’s homer traveled an estimated 416 feet.

Woo then struck out the next two Cardinals he faced.

Scott soars to rob double

The hit from MVP candidate Raleigh that could have disrupted Mikolas’ start came early in the first and appeared headed for wall in right-center field.

Enter Victor Scott II, in a flash.

The Cardinals’ speedy center fielder streaked over from his position and went parallel to the ground with his dive to reach the line drive. The landing was enough to jar his hat loose and send it tumbling ahead – but not enough to pop the ball from his glove. Scott’s catch stole a textbook double from Raleigh, and Mikolas was off to a perfect start against the Mariners.

The right-hander would retire the next seven consecutive Mariners and nine consecutive to start the game. When Raleigh got a second look at Mikolas he again hit the ball to the outfield. Scott made the routine catch on that one for the first out of the fourth inning.