Seven runs in the eighth inning turned a close game into a blowout as Seattle took a 13-2 win over Kansas City on a hot and humid Thursday night at Royals Stadium.

Royals starter Larry Gura, just two days after being named to the American League All-Star team, had his worst start of the year. The Mariners picked up 10 hits in the first seven innings and opened the eighth with a 5-2 lead. That was expanded immediately as Jim Anderson led off with a home run. After a strikeout and a Mario Mendoza triple, Gura was lifted in favor of reliever Marty Pattin. But the only out Pattin recorded came when Mendoza was thrown out trying to steal home. After a walk and a single, Juan Beniquez doubled to score both runners. Pattin intentionally walked Bruce Bochte, only to allow an RBI single to Tom Paciorek. Gary Christenson took over but gave up an RBI single to Joe Simpson. After walking Anderson to load the bases, Christenson and catcher Darrell Porter apparently had trouble getting on the same page, as Porter was charged with two passed balls during Leon Roberts’ at-bat. A run scored on each one before Roberts flied out to mercifully end the inning.

Kansas City hitters were largely shut down by Mariners starter Jim Beattie. The Royals only collected four hits and two walks off Beattie in 5 ⅔ innings. Kansas City’s first run came in the second, as Willie Aikens walked with one out and scored on Clint Hurdle’s double. That tied the game at 1-1.

But the Royals were down 4-1 by the time they came to bat in the sixth. Beattie retired the first two batters, but John Wathan reached on first baseman Bochte’s fielding error. Porter singled to advance Wathan to third, and he came home on a wild pitch. After Aikens walked, reliever Shane Rawley took over and pitched the final 3 ⅓ innings to pick up his sixth save.

Seattle picked up 18 hits on the night, tying a team record at the time. The 13 runs they scored was a season high.

George Brett watch: On the disabled list with an ankle injury. Season stats: .337/.407/.609.

Box score and play-by-play:
https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/KCA/KCA198007030.shtml

1980 baseball news: The National League announced its position player reserves for the All-Star team. Catchers Gary Carter of Montreal and John Stearns of New York made the squad. They were joined by infielders Dave Concepcion (Cincinnati), Phil Garner (Pittsburgh), Keith Hernandez (St. Louis), Ken Reitz (St. Louis), and Pete Rose (Philadelphia). For the outfield, the NL selected Jose Cruz from Houston, Dale Murphy of Atlanta, Ken Griffey from Cincinnati, George Hendrick from St. Louis, and Dave Winfield from San Diego.

Today’s birthdays: Edinson Volquez (1983), Casey Coleman (1987), Brandon Maurer (1990)