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SEATTLE -- Making his first big league start at first base and just his third appearance in the majors in nearly 13 months, Jesus Montero made strides in proving that he belongs with the Seattle Mariners. Montero hit his first big league home run in more than a year, played error-free in the field and helped the Mariners sweep a two-game set over the San Diego Padres with a 6-1 victory Tuesday. The former top catching prospect was suspended 50 games for his connection to the Biogenesis performance-enhancing drug investigation last year and began the season at Triple-A Tacoma. "I really appreciate the opportunity that the Mariners are giving me again," Montero said. "Its really hard for me, what I was going through last year -- very tough year. Little by little, was in Triple-A working hard to be here and they gave me an opportunity again, and I feel really happy that they were paying attention to me. Now Im here. "I just want to appreciate that opportunity that they give me again and I want to just help them, help them to win." Montero, who said he was using a heavier bat than usual as he normally does against left-handers, showed the power that has made him a top prospect by reaching out of the zone to pull a low pitch for a two-run homer to left in the second and give the Mariners a 2-1 lead. The two runs would prove to be enough for starter Roenis Elias, who pitched seven strong innings. Elias (6-5) allowed three hits and struck out six without a walk while facing the minimum in five innings. After failing to win a game for nearly a month, Elias has won three of his last four. The only mistake Elias made turned into a solo home run by Rene Rivera in the second. "It was a good day for me," Elias said through an interpreter. "I had control of it and went out and did what I was capable of doing. Thank God it worked out well for us." "He has a good, live, young arm," San Diego manager Bud Black said. "He threw some secondary pitches as the game went on when he was behind the count, which I think helped him." Robinson Cano added two more insurance runs in the fifth with his fourth home run of the season to give the Mariners a 4-1 lead and it was enough to chase San Diego starter Eric Stults. Stults (2-9) allowed four runs, six hits and a walk. The left-hander struck out five, but had trouble finding the strike zone consistently and needed a season-high 102 pitches. The Padres bullpen was unable to keep the game close, as reliever Tim Stauffer loaded the bases and then gave up a two-run double to Kyle Seager. The Seattle third baseman leads the team with 47 RBIs, the most by a Mariner through 71 games since Raul Ibanez had 49 in 2007. The Padres have scored two runs or less 10 times in the last 15 games and have recorded four hits or less 13 times this season. NOTES: The teams travel to San Diego for another two-game set. Seattle RHP Felix Hernandez and San Diego RHP Andrew Cashner are slated to pitch in the opener on Wednesday. ... Black said INF Jedd Gyorko (plantar fasciitis) is not close to returning from the 15-day DL, despite being eligible to be reinstated on Friday. Gyorko, though, may be able to shed his walking boot on Friday. Jusuf Nurkic Blazers Jersey . FIFA said in a statement Friday that "several racist and discriminatory incidents were apparently perpetrated by local supporters during the match, in particular by displaying neo-Nazi banners and by making monkey noises and gestures as well as Nazi salutes. Custom Portland Trail Blazers Jerseys . -- LaMarcus Aldridge returned to the Trail Blazers lineup, happy to know that things didnt go awry without him. http://www.blazersteamofficial.com/Brand...Blazers-Jersey/. On Tuesday, the star questioned whether that was still the case. Speaking to reporters at a charity event, Johnson said: "I just kind of wonder sometimes: Is this still the place for me?" Johnsons comments came after he was asked why he recently skipped a voluntary minicamp. Portland Trail Blazers Jerseys . The club was unable to retain hitting coach Kevin Seitzer, who is bound for Atlanta. Seitzer replaces Greg Walker, who was assisted by Scott Fletcher this season as the Braves finished 79-83. Zach Collins Jersey . But San Diego had even more trouble against right-hander Tanner Roark, who pitched a three-hitter for the first complete game of his career as the Nationals shut out the Padres 4-0. The 27-year-old set down the first 16 batters before San Diego catcher Rene Rivera, an .Got a question on rule clarification, comments on rule enforcements or some memorable NHL stories? Kerry wants to answer your emails at cmonref@tsn.ca. Why was there no penalty on Clayton Stoner for hit on Max Pacioretty in the third period of Thursdays Ducks-Canadiens game? It was a late hit right between the numbers and into the boards. There should at least be a supplemental hearing, no? Jason Hollings, Ajax, ON Jason: After an internal review of Clayton Stoner’s hit on Max Pacioretty, the Player Safety Committee announced this morning that no subsequent action will be taken against the Ducks player. Even though there appeared to be no malice on the part of Stoner, it is my opinion that a formal hearing should have been convened based on the illegal cross-check which caused Pacioretty to launch face-first into the glass and resulted in injury. At the very least, Stoner should have been be fined for the careless act that warranted a cross-checking major and game misconduct in the game. Ducks Stoner hits Canadiens Pacioretty It has been reported that the hit was only marginally late (0.4 seconds) after Pacioretty released the puck and he appeared to be unsuspecting of the impending hit (although, he perhaps should have been). Even though Pacioretty was almost shoulder-square to the boards (with just a slight body rotation) with his chest facing back toward the blue line, the five-foot distance from the side boards placed the Habs player in a vulnerable position. Taking a forceful check in this position could result in dangerous side head/neck contact with the boards or glass. Facing the glass from this distance is, perhaps, a better option and might allow for the player to raise his hands and defend against some of the impact. This could, in part, explain Pacioretty’s body rotation toward the boards, combined witth the directional driving force exerted by Stoner.ddddddddddddPacioretty’s body rotation toward the glass is a possible reason that the PSC determined no disciplinary action was warranted on the play. On the other hand, maybe they didn’t think it was that serious an offence? What troubles me most about this illegal hit was the fact that Stoner initiated contact with his stick in a prone cross-check position and fully extended his arms. Stoner’s cross-check shove remained connected to Pacioretty’s back right through and including the point when the Montreal player’s face contacted the glass. This action created significant velocity with which Pacioretty was launched into the side boards in a spine-bending crash. As you mentioned, Jason, there was no penalty assessed on the play. The neutral-zone referee can be seen crossing the ice to assume a position away from the puck that had exited the zone. As such, this ref was not focused on the illegal finishing hit delivered by Stoner down the wall. I am uncertain what the end-zone referee was focused on, but my guess is that it was most likely the puck moving toward the blue line, meaning that he was also unaware of the impending hit on Pacioretty. As I stated, a cross-checking major and game misconduct was warranted as a result of the severity of the contact and resulting injury that Pacioretty sustained. I believe Clayton Stoner was sincere, and perhaps even contrite, when he made the following post-game comment to the media: “I didn’t mean to hurt him, but the game’s fast and sometimes guys go into the boards wrong, so I hope he’s all right and I didn’t mean any intentions to hurt him.” While Stoner clearly demonstrated concern for the health and well-being of his injured opponent, actions generally speak louder than words. Actions are what players are judged on. ' ' '