Peguero goes deep in fifth straight

Considering the streak he's on, pitchers probably look to work around Carlos Peguero. But with the bases loaded Wednesday, that wasn't an option.

The Mariners prospect connected on a grand slam in the third inning to extend his home run streak to five games as the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers edged the Salt Lake Bees, 6-5.

Peguero finished the game 2-for-4 with a walk, raising his average to .293. In his last five contests, the 25-year-old outfielder has hit .400 (8-for-20) with six homers and 10 RBIs.

After being held relatively quiet in the first two innings, the Rainiers offense started to make noise in the third against Bees starter Brad Mills. Tacoma collected three singles and a walk with just one out, scoring a run and loading the bases for Peguero.

That prompted a mound visit by Bees pitching coach Erik Bennett, but it did little to change the outcome. Peguero took the first pitch he saw from Mills over the right-field wall for a grand slam.

Peguero followed with a single in the fifth, then was intentionally walked with two outs and a runner on second in the seventh. He ended his day by grounding out in the ninth.

Signed by the Mariners as a non-drafed free agent in 2005, Peguero has always had a knack for the longball. He tied for fifth in the Minors with 31 dingers in 2009, then led the Southern League with 23 in 2010.

He went on a similar home run tear earlier this year, hitting five roundtrippers in five games between May 21-25. Overall, Peguero has collected 18 homers and 41 RBIs in 49 games for the Rainiers.

Tacoma starter Brian Sweeney (4-2) took a no-hitter into the fifth Wednesday, ultimately allowing four runs on five hits in 5 2/3 frames to earn the win.

No. 3 Mariners prospect Nick Franklin collected two homers and two walks for the Rainiers, while Alex Liddi went 3-for-5 with a double and two runs scored.