With the members of their rotation finally healthy, the Seattle Mariners needed to find a role for Emerson Hancock.

So they sent their former first-round pick back to the minors to learn how to pitch out of the bullpen.

Hancock, 26, made his return to T-Mobile Park on Wednesday night, finishing with two scoreless frames as the Mariners defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 4-2 on Leo Rivas' two-run homer leading off the bottom of the 13th inning.

The host Mariners (78-68) and their resurgent bullpen will open a four-game series with the American League West rival Los Angeles Angels (69-77) on Thursday night.

"It's different for me, but I'm really embracing it, really enjoying it," said Hancock, who filled in for George Kirby, Logan Gilbert and Bryce Miller at various times this season.

"I

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