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Mariners edge Royals to avoid sweep

Apr 17, 2011 - 10:29 PM Kansas City, MO (Sports Network) - Brendan Ryan's two-run single in the seventh inning proved to be the difference, as the Seattle Mariners avoided a four-game sweep with a 3-2 victory over Kansas City at Kauffman Stadium.

Seattle's Brandon League came on to protect a two-run lead in the ninth, and gave up a one-out single to Kila Ka'aihue, who advanced to second base on a groundout. Wilson Betemit then lined a single to center field to trim the Royals' deficit to 3-2.

Pinch-runner Mike Aviles stole second, but League retired Brayan Pena on a ground ball to notch his third save of the season.

Justin Smoak had two hits and Milton Bradley knocked in the other run for Seattle, which had lost four straight and 11 of its last 13 games.

"It's not fun coming in and, not hanging our heads, but not having anything to be proud of," Ryan said of the team's struggles.

Michael Pineda (2-1) surrendered one run on three hits and walked four in six innings to get the win. The rookie right-hander finished with five strikeouts.

"That's as good a young arm that I've seen in a long time," said Kansas City outfielder Jeff Francoeur on Pineda.

Jeff Francis (0-1) allowed three runs and six hits over 6 1/3 innings for the Royals, who had their win streak halted at four games.

Kansas City opened the scoring in the fifth inning. Francoeur led off with a double and eventually came home on Pena's sacrifice fly.

Seattle pulled even in the next frame when Bradley stroked a two-out triple to plate Ichiro Suzuki, and the Mariners moved ahead in the seventh.

Smoak and Miguel Olivo started the inning with back-to-back singles. After Ryan Langerhans dropped down a sac bunt, Ryan hit a soft liner to left field off Royals reliever Blake Wood to put the Mariners up 3-1.

Game Notes

Kansas City left fielder Alex Gordon went 1-for-4 to extend his hitting streak to 11 games...The Mariners haven't been swept in a four-game series in Kansas City since September 15-18, 2008...Jamey Wright tossed two scoreless innings for Seattle.