White Sox hit 4 homers to rough up Mariners 13-5

[August 19, 2008]  CHICAGO (AP) -- Nick Swisher hit a two-run home run and Orlando Cabrera started a six-run fifth inning with another two-run shot to help the Chicago White Sox beat the dismal Seattle Mariners 13-5 on Monday night.

After hitting a grand slam on Sunday, rookie Alexei Ramirez hit a three-run homer and Jermaine Dye doubled twice and drove in two runs for the White Sox, who have won six of their last seven games and moved one game ahead of the Minnesota Twins in the AL Central.

Carlos Quentin hit his major league-leading 35th home run in the eighth for Chicago, who lead the majors with 182 homers. They hit four homers for the second straight game.

Yuniesky Betancourt hit a solo homer in the sixth inning for the Mariners, who have lost four straight and own the worst record in the American League.

White Sox starter Mark Buehrle (11-10) survived a shaky performance to improve to 8-3 at home. He allowed five runs and 11 hits in 5 2-3 innings.

Trailing 4-3 in the fifth inning, the White Sox pounded Mariners starter Jarrod Washburn, who couldn't his second lead of the game. The White Sox brought 12 batters to the plate and scored six runs on six hits.

Washburn walked Juan Uribe and then Cabrera homered to give the White Sox a 5-4 lead. It was his seventh of the season and first since June 19th.

After A.J. Pierzynski walked, Quentin singled and Dye ended Washburn's night with a two-run double to make it 7-4.

Mariners reliever Miguel Batista didn't fare well either. He walked Jim Thome and hit Paul Konerko with a pitch. Then Swisher and Ramirez followed with consecutive RBI singles to give Buehrle and the White Sox a 9-4 lead.

Ramirez padded the lead in seventh with a three-run homer off Mariners reliever Jake Woods to make it 12-5. Ramirez has eight RBIs in last two games.

The White Sox have scored 26 runs in the last two games. They've done it with just 20 hits, in part because they've walked 13 times.

Washburn (5-13) allowed eight runs and seven hits in 4 1-3 innings.

Notes: There is no timetable on a possible return for White Sox 3B Joe Crede, who has been on the disabled list with an injured back since July 25th. "You know what, to be honest, I come to the ballpark I don't ask about Joe Crede," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. "I'm not going to say he's out of my mind, but he's out of my picture. That's the way I'm going about my job. I've got 25 problems, I don't need 26." ... Before the game, Guillen said LHP Clayton Richard will start on Tuesday against the Mariners. ... Mariners RHP R.A. Dickey will start Wednesday against the White Sox. ... White Sox OF Ken Griffey Jr. had the night off against his former team. ... ... Mariners C Jeff Clement had a career-high three hits.

[Associated Press]

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