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Chen helps Royals top Mariners in 8 innings

Apr 15, 2011 - 6:23 AM Kansas City, MO (Sports Network) - Wilson Betemit finished 1-for-2 with two RBI, including a solo homer in the fourth inning, as the Kansas City Royals topped the Seattle Mariners, 5-1, in the rain-shortened opener of a four-game set.

Alex Gordon hit a two-run double in third inning while Bruce Chen (2-0) went eight innings, allowing one unearned run on six hits while striking out a batter as Kansas City won for the fourth time in five games.

"We were waiting for the rain since the fifth inning," Chen said. "I tried not to think about it. Obviously, it was getting a little more wet. On the mound, it was a little difficult, but I feel like my defense was a key."

Adam Kennedy knocked in the only Seattle run on a sacrifice fly in the top of the eighth inning, and Mariners starter Doug Fister (0-3) went seven innings, allowing five runs on eight hits while striking out five.

The Mariners have dropped nine of their last 11 after starting the season 2-0.

The Royals got on the board first, scoring three runs in the third inning. Gordon roped a two-run double with one out that scored Alcides Escobar and Melky Cabrera. Billy Bulter then plated Gordon on a single to right.

Betemit hit his first homer of the season, over the left field wall, with one out in the fourth to put Kansas City up 4-0. Betemit tacked on another run in the sixth as he scored Kila Ka'aihue from third with a sacrifice fly to left.

The Mariners attempted a comeback in the eighth as Chone Figgins hit a one-out double, and after Milton Bradley reached safely on a Ka'aihue fielding error, Kennedy got Seattle on the board with a sacrifice fly to center that plated Figgins.

Chen regrouped, and after allowing a Justin Smoak single, got Miguel Olivo to fly out to right to end the frame.

The game was called following a 47-minute rain delay.

"We've got some good players, some good hitters," Smoak said. "It's a matter of getting a key hit in a key situation."

Game two of the series will see Eric Bedard (0-2) take the hill for Seattle. He will face Luke Hochevar (1-1).

Game Notes

Kansas City won five of its nine meetings with the Mariners last season...Ichiro Suzuki finished 2-for-4 for Seattle...The Mariners went 0- for-4 with runners in scoring position while stranding eight runners on base...The Royals went 3-for-3 with RISP while stranding three.