Griffey ties Sosa with 609th HR as White Sox roll

[August 21, 2008]  CHICAGO (AP) -- Ken Griffey Jr. hit one of Chicago's four homers to move into a tie with Sammy Sosa for fifth on the career list and the surging White Sox routed the Seattle Mariners 15-3 on Wednesday.

Griffey's two-run drive in the second inning was his first since Chicago acquired him from Cincinnati on July 31, and No. 609 for his career. The 13-time All-Star was just 9-for-43 with four RBIs and no extra-base hits for the White Sox entering the game.

Alexei Ramirez and A.J. Pierzynski each hit a three-run homer for AL Central-leading Chicago, which has won eight of nine and maintained a one-game lead over Minnesota. Nick Swisher homered for the third straight game and Griffey scored three times.

Griffey hit an RBI single and Ramirez connected for his 14th homer in Chicago's six-run first against knuckleballer R.A. Dickey (3-8), who lasted just two innings. Griffey's drive to right made it 8-0.

The White Sox have scored 13 or more runs in three of their last four games and the 15 runs were one short of their season high. It also was an impressive showing playing without Jim Thome, who was scratched with slight soreness in his right leg.

The 15 runs also were the most allowed by the lowly Mariners since Kansas City scored 17 on July 3, 2007. Seattle has lost six straight and 11 of 13 overall.

Pierzynski, who finished with three hits for the second straight game, went deep against Jake Woods in the fifth and Swisher hit a solo homer off Roy Corcoran in the sixth.

The White Sox have hit four or more homers in six games this month and 10 times this season.

Gavin Floyd (13-6) was the beneficiary of all that run support. The right-hander allowed three runs and six hits in six innings.

Raul Ibanez hit his 20th homer and drove in three runs for Seattle. Ichiro Suzuki had three hits.

Notes: Thome was available to pinch hit. With Thome out, Griffey moved from right field to designated hitter. Swisher went from center to right, and DeWayne Wise started in center. ... Wise was replaced by Brian Anderson in the top of the fifth after straining a muscle near his groin. ... Mariners RHP Carlos Silva (right elbow tendinitis) is feeling better and could start on Aug. 31, manager Jim Riggleman said. ... Seattle RHP Brandon Morrow, who is being converted to a starter, is scheduled to throw about 70 pitches for Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday. Riggleman said Morrow likely will make one or two more starts and be called up when rosters expand on September 1. ... LHP Erik Bedard's most recent bullpen session didn't go as well as hoped and his next throwing session, scheduled for Saturday, likely will be pushed back. Riggleman hopes to have Bedard back before the end of the season but called a potential return "gravy if he does." ... Riggleman said RHP Felix Hernandez, whose previously injured left ankle was hit by a hard groundball on Tuesday, was fine.

[Associated Press; By ANDREW SELIGMAN]

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