Ryan Rowland-Smith’s push for a return to the Seattle Mariners’ starting rotation got a boost on Thursday night.

The Tacoma left-hander returned from a five-game suspension and had his best outing since May 28, helping the Rainiers top Portland 5-3 at Cheney Stadium. Rowland-Smith gave up one run and scattered eight hits over 5 1/3 innings, striking out three and walking one.

Rowland-Smith threw 93 pitches in his first appearance since he unintentionally hit Las Vegas’ Angel Sanchez in the head with a pitch on June 23. The extra time off might have done the 26-year-old some good. Rowland-Smith, who made one start for Seattle before being placed on the disabled list with triceps tendinitis, worked out of jams in the first, third and fourth innings, stranding four runners in scoring position.

Rowland-Smith (2-3) got the win, his first since May 28 when he threw five shutout innings against Nashville.

Tacoma’s hitters had a breakthrough game, too. Four Rainiers – Prentice Redman, Jeff Clement, Brad Nelson and Bryan LaHair – blasted solo shots. Clement has been on a tear in the last 10 games, batting .342 with four home runs. The power surge marked the first time since May 12 that Tacoma (38-42) tallied four home runs in a game.

Light-hitting second baseman Callix Crabbe had one of his best games of the season. He doubled and tripled in his first two at-bats and finished 2-for-3 with one RBI. It was Crabbe’s first multi-hit game since June 16 and first RBI in eight contests.

The Rainiers shelled Beavers starter Will Inman (0-4) for four runs off 10 hits in five innings.

Portland (37-44) scored its first run in the sixth when Drew Macias scored on a wild pitch from reliever Eric Hull. The run was credited to Rowland-Smith, who allowed Macias to reach base on a fielder’s choice. The Beavers added two more runs in the seventh. Short hops

The Rainiers placed outfielder Michael Saunders on the disabled list on Thursday with a strained right hamstring. He is batting .303 with 10 home runs and 49 runs. … Pitcher Steven Shell returned to Tacoma after a five-game stint with Double-A West Tennessee. Shell started three games for the Diamond Jaxx, going 3-0 with a 0.43 earned run average. In 12 appearances with the Rainiers, Shell had a 7.90 ERA. … Pitcher Andres Esquibel was sent to Single-A Everett. … On tap

Right-hander Andy Baldwin (5-5, 4.90 earned run average) will start for Tacoma against Portland right-hander Brian Lawrence (1-1, 2.70) today. First pitch is at 7 p.m. and a fireworks show is scheduled for after the game. The game will be televised live on Comcast Sports Northwest. Doug Pacey: 253-597-8271