Cruz out of lineup for Mariners with neck spasms

SEATTLE (AP) Nelson Cruz is not in the lineup for Seattle, a day after leaving the game against Baltimore with neck spasms.

Seattle manager Lloyd McClendon say Cruz was feeling better Wednesday. But he wants to give Cruz the day off because the Mariners have an off-day Thursday before beginning a series in Boston.

McClendon says he may use Cruz as a pinch-hitter later in the series finale against Baltimore.

Cruz is riding a 21-game hitting streak, tied for the longest in baseball this season. Cruz is hitting .411 with six doubles, 13 home runs and 17 RBIs during the streak. It's the longest streak of his career and tied for fifth-longest in franchise history.

Cruz hit his league-leading 34th homer in the first inning Tuesday night, but left the game before the seventh inning.