CLEVELAND — Tuesday night featured the beginning of a three-game series against first-place teams in the American League, as the Guardians and first-year manager Stephen Vogt welcomed the Seattle Mariners to Progressive Field.

The Mariners (44-31) have taken control of the AL West and held a commanding nine-game lead entering Tuesday's game. The Guardians entered 44-25 and holding a five-game lead over the Kansas City Royals (and a 5.5-game lead over the Minnesota Twins).

Cleveland and Seattle represented the AL's third- and fourth-best records through June 17, respectively.

Here's how the game unfolded.

Guardians fall to the Mariners 8-5

In the top of the ninth, former Highland grad Luke Raley was ejected from the game after sharing some words with the home plate umpire following a strikeout.

In the bottom half of the inning, Mariners closer Andres Munoz made quick work of the Guardians to close out a Seattle win.

Andres Munoz escapes jam, Mariners take three-run lead into ninth inning against Guardians

With one out, Steven Kwan grounded out to bring home a run, and Andres Gimenez grounded out to end the inning.

The Mariners lead the Guardians 8-5 heading into the ninth inning.

Mariners hit two batters, Guardians load the bases in eighth inning

The Guardians are bringing the potential tying run to the plate in the eighth.

Mariners reliever Trent Thornton hit shortstop Brayan Rocchio and then pinch-hitter Tyler Freeman back-to-back to load the bases for the top of the lineup and one out away.

The Mariners are bringing in closer Andres Munoz to face Steven Kwan.

Steven Kwan extends on-base streak to 23 games, hitting streak to 12 games

Steven Kwan's hot streak continues.

Kwan singled to right field in the seventh inning, which extends his current hit streak to 12 games and his on-base streak to 23 games.

Kwan is now hitting .394 this season.

The Guardians trail 8-3 but have two runners on base with nobody out in the seventh.

Guardians cut Mariners lead to 7-3 in the sixth

The Guardians have begun to show signs of life in the sixth inning.

With two runners on, Will Brennan lined a single to center field that scored Jose Ramirez. Bryce Miller, who had a terrific outing going, then threw away a pick-off attempt at first base, which allowed Josh Naylor to easily score from third, bringing the score to 7-3.

Former Highland grad Luke Raley hits home run at Progressive Field

That'll make for quite the homecoming.

Mariners outfielder Luke Raley, who went to Highland High School, just belted a solo home run that has extended the Mariners' lead over the Guardians to 6-1.

Raley spoke with the Beacon Journal last year during his return to Progressive Field. But tonight, he got to jog around the bases.

Guardians, Mariners score: Seattle extends lead over Cleveland

It's gone from bad to worse for McKenzie, even as he's in the dugout.

With lefty Tim Herrin on the mound, Mitch Garver lined a ball into left-center field to score another run and make it 4-1 Mariners.

Triston McKenzie exits game in third inning, Mariners lead Guardians 3-1

Triston McKenzie just threw his shortest outing of the season.

McKenzie has been taken out of the game by manager Stephen Vogt after only 2 1/3 innings. McKenzie is still responsible for two runners on base.

The Mariners knocked McKenzie around in the third, scoring three runs, highlighted by J.P. Crawford's two-run home run. It continued to go downhill from there.

McKenzie had thrown at least five full innings in every outing since the beginning of May entering today.

Below is some pregame information.

Cleveland Guardians activate Jose Ramirez and option Kyle Manzardo to Triple-A Columbus

About four and a half hours before the series was scheduled to begin, the Guardians announced they activated five-time All-Star third baseman Jose Ramirez from the paternity list and optioned rookie designated hitter and first baseman Kyle Manzardo to Triple-A Columbus.

Ramirez spent three days on the paternity list.

Manzardo had been with the Guardians since being called up from Columbus and making his MLB debut on May 6. In 82 at-bats with the Guardians, Manzardo hit .207 with seven RBIs, 10 doubles, three walks, 23 strikeouts and a .571 OPS.

Mike Hargrove, wife share Cleveland baseball memories in Akron

Former Cleveland manager Mike Hargrove shared some baseball tales with the Akron Beacon Journal.

Does David Fry have a 2024 MLB All-Star Game case with the Guardians?

David Fry has been among the game's best hitters by some metrics, but does he have a case to be named to the 2024 AL All-Star team?

Daniel Schneemann debut is a baseball classic tale

Daniel Schneemann made his major league debut and jumped on the first pitch he saw in the major leagues for a two-run double. It completed a long, grinding road to the majors for a former 33rd-round draft pick.

Steven Kwan All-Star case continues despite absence due to injury

Steven Kwan recently returned from the injured list and played so well that his teammates began joking that he isn't even human.

Browns cornerback Denzel Ward throws a wild ceremonial first pitch at Guardians game

Browns cornerback Denzel Ward tossed the ceremonial first pitch at a recent game at Progressive Field and, well, it was eventful.

Guardians City Connect uniforms unveiled

The Guardians wore their new Nike City Connect uniforms for the first time against the Minnesota Twins.

Guardians schedule, next game

The Guardians begin a six-game homestand Tuesday night against the Seattle Mariners. After the three-game series against the Mariners, the Guardians welcome the Toronto Blue Jays to Progressive Field. Cleveland will then travel to Baltimore and Kansas City on an upcoming road trip.

How can I watch, listen or stream the Cleveland Guardians game tonight?

The game will be broadcast locally on Bally Sports. It'll be broadcast on the radio by WTAM (1100-AM) and WARF (1350-AM, Spanish broadcast).

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Guardians score today vs. Seattle Mariners recap