White Sox 2 - 4 Mariners
Final
  for this game

Ibanez, Saunders send M's past slumping White Sox

Jun 4, 2013 - 6:01 AM Seattle, WA (Sports Network) - Raul Ibanez clubbed a two-run homer and Joe Saunders tossed 6 1/3 innings of one-run ball as the Seattle Mariners downed the Chicago White Sox, 4-2, in the opener of a three-game set from Safeco Field.

Kendrys Morales knocked in a run with a double and Jesus Sucre added an RBI to help Seattle capture just its fifth win in its last 17 games.

Saunders (4-5) had a lot to do with it, giving up five hits while striking out five to string together his second straight impressive outing. He allowed just one run on four hits in a seven-inning no decision his last time out.

Tom Wilhemsen notched his 13th save of the season despite giving up a run in the ninth inning.

The White Sox, in the midst of their longest losing streak in five years, dropped an eighth straight game away from home.

John Danks (0-2) was unbeaten in eight starts against the Mariners coming in, but gave up four runs -- three earned -- on seven hits over six innings to take the loss.

"Yeah, there was a couple pitches there, the one to Morales and Ibanez, but as far as seeing him pitch, even in spring training, this is the best he's looked as far as command," said White Sox manager Robin Ventura.

Chicago had only six hits, with Jeff Keppinger and Adam Dunn each driving in a run to account for the team's offense.

Keppinger helped the White Sox strike first with his RBI single into left in the second inning. Dayan Viciedo, who had reached with a one-out double, scored on the play, but the lead didn't last very long.

Nick Franklin singled in the bottom half of the frame, moved to second on a passed ball and then came around to score when Sucre singled into left to even the contest at 1-1.

An inning later, the Mariners jumped in front on a double by Morales and grabbed a 4-1 edge when Ibanez launched the 13th pitch of his at-bat into the right-field seats for his 10th homer of the season.

"That was one of the best at-bats I've ever seen," said Seattle manager Eric Wedge. "You can't say enough about what he's done for us."

Saunders made the lead stand from there, limiting the White Sox to just three hits for remainder of his start. The lefty has been extremely successful at Safeco Field and pushed his record there to 10-1 in 15 career starts.

Alex Rios reached to start the ninth off Wilhemsen with a walk and moved to second on a defensive indifference. Dunn then drove a two-out single up the middle to bring Chicago within two, but Keppinger flew out to end the game.

Game Notes

The White Sox have lost eight games in a row on the road for the first time since a nine-game skid from May 30-June 22, 2008 ... Chicago came in as winners in 26 of its previous 31 games with the Mariners and had an eight-game winning streak at Safeco Field snapped ... Danks was 7-0 coming into the contest against Seattle ... Chicago's Gordon Beckham returned to the lineup for the first time since fracturing a bone in his left hand on April 9. He ended 0-for-3.






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