GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: AL: SEATTLE (22-22) at KANSAS CITY (19-30)

AL: SEATTLE at KANSAS CITY

<div class="pre">AL AT KANSAS CITY - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: G Sherrill relieved C Baek.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, T PENA JR ON FIRST, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: SEATTLE 4
KANSAS CITY 1 BOTTOM, 8TH

DUE UP FOR KANSAS CITY: D DeJesus (.271, 0-FOR-3)</div>

 

AL: SEATTLE at KANSAS CITY

<div class="pre">AL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
SEATTLE 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 4 8 2
KANSAS CITY 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 5 0 (TOP 9)

CURRENT PITCHERS: SEA - BRANDON MORROW
KAN - RYAN BRAUN

DUE UP FOR SEATTLE: A BELTRE (.250, 1-FOR-3)
Y BETANCOURT (.283, 1-FOR-3)
J LOPEZ (.267, 1-FOR-3)</div>

 

AL: SEATTLE at KANSAS CITY

<div class="pre">SEATTLE (4) VS KANSAS CITY (1) - END 8TH - IN PROGRESS

SEATTLE ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
I Suzuki cf 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 .332
J Vidro dh 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 .310
R Ibanez lf 3 1 2 0 1 0 0 .285
R Sexson 1b 3 1 0 0 1 0 2 .176
B Broussard rf 4 1 1 0 0 1 1 .326
J Ellison rf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .235
K Johjima c 4 1 2 4 0 0 1 .324
A Beltre 3b 3 0 1 0 0 0 1 .250
Y Betancourt ss 3 0 1 0 0 0 1 .283
J Lopez 2b 3 0 1 0 0 0 2 .267

Totals 31 4 8 4 2 1 11

BATTING: 2B - R Ibanez 2 (10, B Bannister 2). HR - K Johjima (7, 4th inning off
B Bannister 3 on, 1 Out). RBI - K Johjima 4 (22). Runners left in scoring
position, 2 out - K Johjima 1. GIDP - I Suzuki. Team LOB - 5.

FIELDING: E - A Beltre (6, throw); Y Betancourt (11, throw).


KANSAS CITY ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
D DeJesus cf 4 0 0 0 0 3 3 .269
M Grudzielanek 2b 4 0 2 0 0 0 2 .270
M Teahen rf 4 0 0 0 0 1 4 .293
M Sweeney dh 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 .255
A Gordon 3b 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .190
R Shealy 1b 3 0 0 0 0 2 0 .205
S Costa lf 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 .212
J LaRue c 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 .098
T Pena Jr ss 3 1 3 0 0 0 0 .262

Totals 30 1 5 0 0 9 12

BATTING: Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - M Teahen 1. Team LOB - 5.

FIELDING: DP: 1 (M Grudzielanek-T Pena Jr-R Shealy).


----------------------------------------------------
SEATTLE - 000 400 00 -- 4
KANSAS CITY - 001 000 00 -- 1
----------------------------------------------------

SEATTLE ip h r er bb so hr era
C Baek 7 1/3 5 1 0 0 8 0 4.57
B Morrow 2/3 0 0 0 0 1 0 1.96

KANSAS CITY ip h r er bb so hr era
B Bannister 7 8 4 4 2 0 1 4.54
R Braun 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 4.35

B Bannister pitched to 1 batter in the 8th.

Pitches-strikes: C Baek 102-77; B Morrow 8-6; B Bannister 106-73; R Braun
14-9. Ground balls-fly balls: C Baek 5-9; B Morrow 0-1; B Bannister 10-11; R
Braun 2-0. Batters faced: C Baek 28; B Morrow 2; B Bannister 30; R Braun 3.

UMPIRES: HP--Eric Cooper. 1B--Mike Reilly. 2B--Jeff Kellogg. 3B--Chad
Fairchild.

Weather: 73 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 9 mph, right to left.</div>

 

AL: SEATTLE at KANSAS CITY

<div class="pre">AL AT KANSAS CITY - SCORING UPDATE
SINGLE BY ICHIRO SUZUKI SCORED ADRIAN BELTRE.
SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, I SUZUKI ON FIRST, Y BETANCOURT ON SECOND, 1 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: SEATTLE 5
KANSAS CITY 1 TOP, 9TH

DUE UP FOR SEATTLE: J VIDRO (.310, 0-FOR-4)</div>

 

AL: SEATTLE at KANSAS CITY

<div class="pre">AL SEATTLE AT KANSAS CITY
NOTE: SEATTLE CENTER FIELDER ICHIRO SUZUKI EXTENDED HIS
HITTING STREAK TO 19 GAMES WITH A SINGLE IN THE NINTH INNING.</div>

 

AL: SEATTLE at KANSAS CITY

<div class="pre">AL AT KANSAS CITY - SCORING UPDATE
SACRIFICE FLY BY RAUL IBANEZ SCORED YUNIESKY BETANCOURT.
SITUATION: 2 RUNS IN, J VIDRO ON FIRST, I SUZUKI ON SECOND, 2 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: SEATTLE 6
KANSAS CITY 1 TOP, 9TH

DUE UP FOR SEATTLE: R SEXSON (.176, 0-FOR-3, BB)</div>

 

AL: SEATTLE at KANSAS CITY

<div class="pre">AL AT KANSAS CITY - SCORING UPDATE
THREE-RUN HOME RUN BY RICHIE SEXSON (6) TO LEFT WITH 2 OUT
IN THE 9TH OFF RYAN BRAUN SCORED ICHIRO SUZUKI AND JOSE VIDRO.
CURRENT SCORE: SEATTLE 9, KANSAS CITY 1

DUE UP FOR SEATTLE: J ELLISON (.235, 0 HR, 0 RBI)</div>

 

AL: SEATTLE at KANSAS CITY

<div class="pre">AL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
SEATTLE 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 5 9 12 2
KANSAS CITY 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 5 0 (BOT 9)

CURRENT PITCHERS: SEA - BRANDON MORROW
KAN - RYAN BRAUN

DUE UP FOR KANSAS CITY: M SWEENEY (.255, 0-FOR-3)
A GORDON (.190, 0-FOR-3)
R SHEALY (.205, 0-FOR-3)</div>

 

AL: SEATTLE at KANSAS CITY

<div class="pre">SEATTLE (9) VS KANSAS CITY (1) - MID 9TH - IN PROGRESS

SEATTLE ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
I Suzuki cf 5 1 1 1 0 0 2 .335
J Vidro dh 4 1 0 0 1 0 1 .310
R Ibanez lf 3 1 2 1 1 0 2 .285
R Sexson 1b 4 2 1 3 1 0 2 .182
B Broussard rf 4 1 1 0 0 1 1 .326
J Ellison rf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .222
K Johjima c 4 1 2 4 0 0 1 .324
A Beltre 3b 4 1 2 0 0 0 1 .254
Y Betancourt ss 4 1 2 0 0 0 1 .288
J Lopez 2b 4 0 1 0 0 0 4 .265

Totals 37 9 12 9 3 1 15

BATTING: 2B - R Ibanez 2 (10, B Bannister 2); A Beltre (11, R Braun). HR - K
Johjima (7, 4th inning off B Bannister 3 on, 1 Out), R Sexson (6, 9th inning
off R Braun 2 on, 2 Out). SF - R Ibanez. RBI - K Johjima 4 (22), I Suzuki (20),
R Ibanez (25), R Sexson 3 (27). 2-out RBI - R Sexson 3. Runners left in scoring
position, 2 out - K Johjima 1. GIDP - I Suzuki. Team LOB - 5.

FIELDING: E - A Beltre (6, throw); Y Betancourt (11, throw).


KANSAS CITY ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
D DeJesus cf 4 0 0 0 0 3 3 .269
M Grudzielanek 2b 4 0 2 0 0 0 2 .270
M Teahen rf 4 0 0 0 0 1 4 .293
M Sweeney dh 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 .255
A Gordon 3b 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .190
R Shealy 1b 3 0 0 0 0 2 0 .205
S Costa lf 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 .212
J LaRue c 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 .098
T Pena Jr ss 3 1 3 0 0 0 0 .262

Totals 30 1 5 0 0 9 12

BATTING: Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - M Teahen 1. Team LOB - 5.

FIELDING: DP: 1 (M Grudzielanek-T Pena Jr-R Shealy).


----------------------------------------------------
SEATTLE - 000 400 005 -- 9
KANSAS CITY - 001 000 00 -- 1
----------------------------------------------------

SEATTLE ip h r er bb so hr era
C Baek 7 5 1 0 0 7 0 4.60
G Sherrill 1/3 0 0 0 0 1 0 1.76
B Morrow 2/3 0 0 0 0 1 0 1.96

KANSAS CITY ip h r er bb so hr era
B Bannister 7 8 4 4 2 0 1 4.54
R Braun 2 4 5 5 1 1 1 7.94

B Bannister pitched to 1 batter in the 8th.
C Baek pitched to 1 batter in the 8th.

Pitches-strikes: C Baek 98-74; G Sherrill 4-3; B Morrow 8-6; B Bannister
106-73; R Braun 43-28. Ground balls-fly balls: C Baek 5-9; G Sherrill 0-0; B
Morrow 0-1; B Bannister 10-11; R Braun 3-2. Batters faced: C Baek 27; G
Sherrill 1; B Morrow 2; B Bannister 30; R Braun 11.

UMPIRES: HP--Eric Cooper. 1B--Mike Reilly. 2B--Jeff Kellogg. 3B--Chad
Fairchild.

Weather: 73 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 9 mph, right to left.</div>

 

AL: SEATTLE at KANSAS CITY

<div class="pre">AL AT KANSAS CITY - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: W Bloomquist at first base.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: SEATTLE 9
KANSAS CITY 1 BOTTOM, 9TH

DUE UP FOR KANSAS CITY: M Sweeney (.255, 0-FOR-3)</div>

 

AL: SEATTLE at KANSAS CITY

<div class="pre">AL AT KANSAS CITY - PITCHING CHANGE
SEA: J.J. PUTZ (0-0, 1.37) STARTING THE 9TH
CURRENT SCORE: SEATTLE 9, KANSAS CITY 1

DUE UP FOR KANSASCITY: M SWEENEY (.255, 0-FOR-3)</div>

 

AL: SEATTLE at KANSAS CITY

<div class="pre">AL AT KANSAS CITY - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: J Putz relieved B Morrow.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: SEATTLE 9
KANSAS CITY 1 BOTTOM, 9TH

DUE UP FOR KANSAS CITY: M Sweeney (.255, 0-FOR-3)</div>

 

AL: SEATTLE at KANSAS CITY

<div class="pre">AL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
SEATTLE 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 5 9 12 2
KANSAS CITY 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 5 0 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: SEA - CHA SEUNG BAEK, GEORGE SHERRILL (8TH), BRANDON MORROW (8TH),
J.J. PUTZ (9TH) AND KENJI JOHJIMA

KAN - BRIAN BANNISTER, RYAN BRAUN (8TH) AND JASON LARUE

HOME RUNS: SEA - KENJI JOHJIMA (7) OFF BRIAN BANNISTER IN THE 4TH, 3 ON
RICHIE SEXSON (6) OFF RYAN BRAUN IN THE 9TH, 2 ON

KAN - NONE</div>

 

AL: SEATTLE at KANSAS CITY

<div class="pre">AL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
SEATTLE 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 5 9 12 2
KANSAS CITY 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 5 0 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: SEA - CHA SEUNG BAEK, GEORGE SHERRILL (8TH), BRANDON MORROW (8TH),
J.J. PUTZ (9TH) AND KENJI JOHJIMA

KAN - BRIAN BANNISTER, RYAN BRAUN (8TH) AND JASON LARUE


WP - CHA SEUNG BAEK (2-2)
LP - BRIAN BANNISTER (0-3)
SAVE - NONE

HOME RUNS: SEA - KENJI JOHJIMA (7) OFF BRIAN BANNISTER IN THE 4TH, 3 ON
RICHIE SEXSON (6) OFF RYAN BRAUN IN THE 9TH, 2 ON

KAN - NONE


TIME: 2:41 ATT: 21,138

PROBABLES: SEA - JARROD WASHBURN (4-4, 3.15)
KAN - ODALIS PEREZ (2-4, 5.20)</div>

 

AL: SEATTLE at KANSAS CITY

<div class="pre">SEATTLE (9) VS KANSAS CITY (1) - FINAL

SEATTLE ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
I Suzuki cf 5 1 1 1 0 0 2 .335
J Vidro dh 4 1 0 0 1 0 1 .310
R Ibanez lf 3 1 2 1 1 0 2 .285
R Sexson 1b 4 2 1 3 1 0 2 .182
W Bloomquist 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .143
B Broussard rf 4 1 1 0 0 1 1 .326
J Ellison rf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .222
K Johjima c 4 1 2 4 0 0 1 .324
A Beltre 3b 4 1 2 0 0 0 1 .254
Y Betancourt ss 4 1 2 0 0 0 1 .288
J Lopez 2b 4 0 1 0 0 0 4 .265

Totals 37 9 12 9 3 1 15

BATTING: 2B - R Ibanez 2 (10, B Bannister 2); A Beltre (11, R Braun). HR - K
Johjima (7, 4th inning off B Bannister 3 on, 1 Out), R Sexson (6, 9th inning
off R Braun 2 on, 2 Out). SF - R Ibanez. RBI - K Johjima 4 (22), I Suzuki (20),
R Ibanez (25), R Sexson 3 (27). 2-out RBI - R Sexson 3. Runners left in scoring
position, 2 out - K Johjima 1. GIDP - I Suzuki. Team LOB - 5.

FIELDING: E - A Beltre (6, throw); Y Betancourt (11, throw).


KANSAS CITY ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
D DeJesus cf 4 0 0 0 0 3 3 .269
M Grudzielanek 2b 4 0 2 0 0 0 2 .270
M Teahen rf 4 0 0 0 0 1 4 .293
M Sweeney dh 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 .253
A Gordon 3b 3 0 0 0 1 1 1 .190
R Shealy 1b 4 0 0 0 0 2 1 .202
S Costa lf 4 0 0 0 0 2 1 .206
J LaRue c 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 .098
T Pena Jr ss 3 1 3 0 0 0 0 .262

Totals 33 1 5 0 1 10 14

BATTING: Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - M Teahen 1. Team LOB - 6.

FIELDING: DP: 1 (M Grudzielanek-T Pena Jr-R Shealy).


----------------------------------------------------
SEATTLE - 000 400 005 -- 9
KANSAS CITY - 001 000 000 -- 1
----------------------------------------------------

SEATTLE ip h r er bb so hr era
C Baek (W, 2-2) 7 5 1 0 0 7 0 4.60
G Sherrill (H, 6) 1/3 0 0 0 0 1 0 1.76
B Morrow (H, 6) 2/3 0 0 0 0 1 0 1.96
J Putz 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 1.31

KANSAS CITY ip h r er bb so hr era
B Bannister (L, 0-3) 7 8 4 4 2 0 1 4.54
R Braun 2 4 5 5 1 1 1 7.94

B Bannister pitched to 1 batter in the 8th.
C Baek pitched to 1 batter in the 8th.

Pitches-strikes: C Baek 98-74; G Sherrill 4-3; B Morrow 8-6; J Putz 18-9; B
Bannister 106-73; R Braun 43-28. Ground balls-fly balls: C Baek 5-9; G Sherrill
0-0; B Morrow 0-1; J Putz 1-1; B Bannister 10-11; R Braun 3-2. Batters faced: C
Baek 27; G Sherrill 1; B Morrow 2; J Putz 4; B Bannister 30; R Braun 11.

UMPIRES: HP--Eric Cooper. 1B--Mike Reilly. 2B--Jeff Kellogg. 3B--Chad
Fairchild.

T--2:41. Att--21,138.
Weather: 73 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 9 mph, right
to left.</div>

 

AL: SEATTLE at KANSAS CITY

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
AL
SEATTLE 9
KANSAS CITY 1 FINAL</div>

 

AL: SEATTLE at KANSAS CITY

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SEATTLE (9) AT KANSAS CITY (1) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

KANSAS CITY 3RD: J LaRue grounded out to second. T Pena Jr reached on bunt
single to third, T Pena Jr to second on throwing error by third baseman
A Beltre. D DeJesus struck out swinging. M Grudzielanek safe at second on
throwing error by shortstop Y Betancourt, T Pena Jr scored. M Teahen grounded
out to first. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 2 Errors) SEATTLE 0, KANSAS CITY 1.

SEATTLE 4TH: J Vidro grounded out to first. R Ibanez doubled to deep
right. R Sexson walked. B Broussard reached on infield single to second,
R Ibanez to third, R Sexson to second. K Johjima homered to left, R Ibanez,
R Sexson and B Broussard scored. A Beltre singled to center. Y Betancourt flied
out to right. J Lopez popped out to shortstop. (4 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors)
SEATTLE 4, KANSAS CITY 1.

SEATTLE 9TH: A Beltre doubled to deep left. Y Betancourt singled to
center, A Beltre to third. J Lopez popped out to third. I Suzuki reached on
infield single to second, A Beltre scored, Y Betancourt to second. J Vidro
walked, Y Betancourt to third, I Suzuki to second. R Ibanez hit sacrifice fly
to right, Y Betancourt scored. R Sexson homered to left, I Suzuki and J Vidro
scored. J Ellison grounded out to shortstop. (5 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors)
SEATTLE 9, KANSAS CITY 1.</div>

 

AL: SEATTLE at KANSAS CITY

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SEATTLE (9) AT KANSAS CITY (1) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Seattle Starting Lineups -- I Suzuki CF, J Vidro DH, R Ibanez LF, R Sexson 1B,
B Broussard RF, K Johjima C, A Beltre 3B, Y Betancourt SS, J Lopez 2B, C Baek RHP.

Kansas City Starting Lineups -- D DeJesus CF, M Grudzielanek 2B, M Teahen RF,
M Sweeney DH, A Gordon 3B, R Shealy 1B, S Costa LF, J LaRue C, T Pena Jr SS,
B Bannister RHP.

Umpires -- Eric Cooper (HP), Mike Reilly (1B), Jeff Kellogg (2B), Chad Fairchild (3B).

Gametime Weather: 73 degrees, Partly Cloudy, wind right to left at 9 mph.


SEATTLE 1ST: I Suzuki flied out to left. J Vidro grounded out to second.
R Ibanez grounded out to first. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) SEATTLE 0, KANSAS CITY 0.

KANSAS CITY 1ST: D DeJesus struck out looking. M Grudzielanek singled to
left center. M Teahen grounded into fielder's choice to second, M Grudzielanek
out at second. M Sweeney flied out to center. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors)
SEATTLE 0, KANSAS CITY 0.

SEATTLE 2ND: R Sexson grounded out to shortstop. B Broussard grounded out
to second. K Johjima singled to center. A Beltre fouled out to catcher.
(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) SEATTLE 0, KANSAS CITY 0.

KANSAS CITY 2ND: A Gordon flied out to center. R Shealy struck out
looking. S Costa flied out to right. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) SEATTLE 0,
KANSAS CITY 0.

SEATTLE 3RD: Y Betancourt flied out to center. J Lopez reached on infield
single to second. I Suzuki grounded into double play, second to shortstop to
first, J Lopez out at second.(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) SEATTLE 0, KANSAS CITY 0.

KANSAS CITY 3RD: J LaRue grounded out to second. T Pena Jr reached on bunt
single to third, T Pena Jr to second on throwing error by third baseman
A Beltre. D DeJesus struck out swinging. M Grudzielanek safe at second on
throwing error by shortstop Y Betancourt, T Pena Jr scored. M Teahen grounded
out to first. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 2 Errors) SEATTLE 0, KANSAS CITY 1.

SEATTLE 4TH: J Vidro grounded out to first. R Ibanez doubled to deep
right. R Sexson walked. B Broussard reached on infield single to second,
R Ibanez to third, R Sexson to second. K Johjima homered to left, R Ibanez,
R Sexson and B Broussard scored. A Beltre singled to center. Y Betancourt flied
out to right. J Lopez popped out to shortstop. (4 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors)
SEATTLE 4, KANSAS CITY 1.

KANSAS CITY 4TH: M Sweeney flied out to center. A Gordon struck out
swinging. R Shealy lined out to left. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) SEATTLE 4,
KANSAS CITY 1.

SEATTLE 5TH: I Suzuki grounded out to pitcher. J Vidro flied out to right.
R Ibanez walked. R Sexson popped out to third. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
SEATTLE 4, KANSAS CITY 1.

KANSAS CITY 5TH: S Costa struck out swinging. J LaRue struck out swinging.
T Pena Jr singled to left center. D DeJesus popped out to shortstop. (0 Runs,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) SEATTLE 4, KANSAS CITY 1.

SEATTLE 6TH: B Broussard flied out to left. K Johjima grounded out to
shortstop. A Beltre grounded out to third. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) SEATTLE 4,
KANSAS CITY 1.

KANSAS CITY 6TH: M Grudzielanek singled to left. M Teahen lined out to
left. M Sweeney fouled out to third. A Gordon grounded out to second.
(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) SEATTLE 4, KANSAS CITY 1.

SEATTLE 7TH: Y Betancourt singled to left. J Lopez fouled out to catcher.
I Suzuki flied out to left. J Vidro flied out to left. (0 Runs, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) SEATTLE 4, KANSAS CITY 1.

KANSAS CITY 7TH: R Shealy struck out looking. S Costa grounded out to
third. J LaRue lined out to left. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) SEATTLE 4,
KANSAS CITY 1.

SEATTLE 8TH: R Ibanez doubled to deep left. R Braun relieved B Bannister.
R Sexson grounded out to third. B Broussard struck out swinging. K Johjima
grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) SEATTLE 4, KANSAS CITY 1.

KANSAS CITY 8TH: J Ellison in right field. T Pena Jr reached on infield
single to first. D DeJesus struck out swinging. B Morrow relieved C Baek.
M Grudzielanek flied out to right. M Teahen struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) SEATTLE 4, KANSAS CITY 1.

SEATTLE 9TH: A Beltre doubled to deep left. Y Betancourt singled to
center, A Beltre to third. J Lopez popped out to third. I Suzuki reached on
infield single to second, A Beltre scored, Y Betancourt to second. J Vidro
walked, Y Betancourt to third, I Suzuki to second. R Ibanez hit sacrifice fly
to right, Y Betancourt scored. R Sexson homered to left, I Suzuki and J Vidro
scored. J Ellison grounded out to shortstop. (5 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors)
SEATTLE 9, KANSAS CITY 1.

KANSAS CITY 9TH: W Bloomquist at first base. J Putz relieved B Morrow.
M Sweeney lined out to center. A Gordon walked. R Shealy grounded into
fielder's choice to third, A Gordon out at second. S Costa struck out
swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) SEATTLE 9, KANSAS CITY 1.</div>

 

Baek, Johjima help Mariners slam Royals

<h3>SEATTLE 9, KANSAS CITY 1</h3>KANSAS CITY, Missouri (Ticker) -- The Kansas City Royals founda way to slow down Ichiro Suzuki, but they had no answers forCha Seung Baek.

Baek pitched into the eighth inning and Kenji Johjima blastedhis first career grand slam to lead the Seattle Mariners to a9-1 triumph over the Royals on Saturday night.

It was the fourth victory in the last five games for theMariners (23-22), who climbed above the .500 mark for the firsttime since May 16.

A key factor to the Mariners' recent success has been theimproved play of Ichiro, who entered Saturday with an 18-gamehitting streak over which he batted .433 (35-for-79).

A two-time batting champion and former MVP, Ichiro was stalledin this contest, going hitless in his first four at-bats. Thesix-time All-Star came through in the ninth, however, slappingan RBI infield single to preserve his hitting streak.

Seattle did not need much production from Ichiro thanks to Baek(2-2), who recorded a career-high seven strikeouts in seven-plusinnings. Just three days shy of his 27th birthday, Baekyielded only one unearned run and five hits with no walks.

Kansas City mounted its only attack against Baek in the third,when Tony Pena Jr. laid down a perfect bunt single and advancedto to second on third baseman Adrian Beltre's throwing error.

The Royals took a 1-0 lead two batters later when MarkGrudzielanek reached on a throwing error by shortstop YunieskyBetancourt, allowing Pena to score.

But the Mariners more than answered in the following frameagainst Royals starter Brian Bannister (0-3), who yielded adouble, a walk and a single to load the bases with one out.

That set the stage for Johjima, who hooked Bannister's firstpitch around the foul pole in left field to give the Mariners a4-1 lead. It was the seventh homer this season for Johjima, whohas 10 hits and seven RBI over his last five games.

Richie Sexson crushed a three-run homer and Beltre added twohits for the Mariners, who erupted for five runs in the ninthinning to put away the contest.

Aside from Johjima's grand slam, Bannister delivered a solideffort, yielding four runs and eight hits over a career-highseven innings. The righthander walked two without recording astrikeout.

 

Baek, Johjima help Mariners slam Royals

<h3>SEATTLE 9, KANSAS CITY 1</h3>KANSAS CITY, Missouri (Ticker) -- The Kansas City Royals founda way to slow down Ichiro Suzuki, but they had no answers forCha Seung Baek.

Baek pitched into the eighth inning and Kenji Johjima blastedhis first career grand slam to lead the Seattle Mariners to a9-1 triumph over the Royals on Saturday night.

It was the fourth victory in the last five games for theMariners (23-22), who climbed above the .500 mark for the firsttime since May 16.

A key factor to the Mariners' recent success has been theimproved play of Ichiro, who entered Saturday with an 18-gamehitting streak over which he batted .433 (35-for-79).

A two-time batting champion and former MVP, Ichiro was stalledin this contest, going hitless in his first four at-bats. Thesix-time All-Star came through in the ninth, however, slappingan RBI infield single to preserve his hitting streak.

"That's a tough play," Mariners manager Mike Hargrove said."It's not an impossible play, but it's out of the ordinary."

Ichiro was not fazed by his late hit, claiming that numeroushitting streaks are saved in a final at-bat.

"It's happened so many times, I don't remember," he said throughan interpreter.

Seattle did not need much production from Ichiro thanks to Baek(2-2), who recorded a career-high seven strikeouts in seven-plusinnings. Just three days shy of his 27th birthday, Baekyielded only one unearned run and five hits with no walks.

"(Baek) threw really well," Mariners manager Mike Hargrove said."Cha Seung was awfully good tonight. He kept the ball down,not in the middle of the plate. ... He is throwing more strikes.He's ahead of hitters. He's really established himself as oneof our guys."

"My sliders and cutters worked good," Baek said. "And thechangeup also, the curveball, the fastball. Everything."

Kansas City mounted its only attack against Baek in the third,when Tony Pena Jr. laid down a perfect bunt single and advancedto to second on third baseman Adrian Beltre's throwing error.

The Royals took a 1-0 lead two batters later when MarkGrudzielanek reached on a throwing error by shortstop YunieskyBetancourt, allowing Pena to score.

"Give a little credit to (Baek)," Royals manager Buddy Bellsaid. "He pitched pretty well. He was hard and soft all night.He didn't throw anything in between. He threw a splitter forstrikes, he threw a curveball for strikes."

"(Baek's) command was great, especially the breaking ball,"Johjima said through an interpreter. "He was always able tothrow the breaking ball for a strike. When he was behind, thatwas very effective tonight."

The Mariners more than answered in the following frame againstRoyals starter Brian Bannister (0-3), who yielded a double, awalk and a single to load the bases with one out.

That set the stage for Johjima, who hooked Bannister's firstpitch around the foul pole in left field to give the Mariners a4-1 lead. It was the seventh homer this season for Johjima, whohas 10 hits and seven RBI over his last five games.

"I'm always looking for the fastball in my at-bats," Johjimasaid. "That pitch was right there."

"I don't give up a lot of home runs," Bannister said."Sometimes a well-pitched game comes down to one swing. Therewere a lot of zeros up on the board. I was just trying to getahead of Johjima with a first-pitch fastball, and he just gotit."

Richie Sexson crushed a three-run homer and Beltre added twohits for the Mariners, who erupted for five runs in the ninthinning to put away the contest.

Aside from Johjima's grand slam, Bannister delivered a solideffort, yielding four runs and eight hits over a career-highseven innings. The righthander walked two without recording astrikeout.