ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Mike Leake delivered another strong outing, the Mariners scored more than four runs for the third straight game and they survived a late-rally scare in the ninth inning to hold on for a 5-4 win over the Rays.

Kyle Seager’s tough backhanded stop and long throw across the diamond with a scoop on the short-hop by Ryon Healy ended the drama and Tampa’s comeback hopes.

Former Rays closer Alex Colome, who hadn’t pitched in four games, looked rusty, giving up a bases-loaded double that brought the Rays within a run.

The Mariners improved to 39-23.

Leake flirted with a complete game, starting the ninth inning. But a line-drive double to left off the bat of Wilson Ramos turned around Denard Span on the play and didn’t allow him to make the catch. It ended Leake’s night.

Leake was credited with eight innings, two runs allowed on eight hits with one walk and three strikeouts to improve to 6-3. He worked fast and with rhythm, and benefitted from solid defense

After loading the bases with one out and forcing the Rays “opener” reliever Ryne Stanek to throw 30, but scoring no runs, the Mariners made up for the missed opportunities in the second inning. Facing relieving starter Austin Pruitt, Seattle grabbed a quick 3-0 lead. Dee Gordon drove in Span with a sac fly while the Mariners scored two runs on Mitch Haniger’s soft-shift-beating ground ball that barely made it into the outfield. David Freitas was able to score from second, while Jean Segura saw that the Rays had mishandled the ball and scored all the way from first.

Seattle tacked on more runs in the third and fifth on solo homers from Span and Haniger.

Playing back in his hometown in front of friends and family, Span ambushed a first pitch from Pruitt, sending a towering homer to right field to make it 4-1. It was Span’s second homer in his as many games — both coming on first-pitch swings.

Haniger’s solo smash led off the fifth inning. He sent a blast into deep left-center for his team-high 13th homer of the season.