Sox rally to beat Mariners, pick up ground
Getting runners on base has not been the White Sox' big problem this season. Getting the runners home has.
Early on Tuesday night in Seattle, the Sox again left runners all over the bases against the Mariners, but they solved that problem late to win 6-3.
The victory pulled the White Sox to within 51/2 games of the first-place Detroit Tigers in the AL Central.
Entering Tuesday's play, the Sox were 4-for-48 (.083) with runners in scoring position over the last seven games.
It was the same sad story against the Mariners until A.J. Pierzynski delivered a 2-run single with two outs in the seventh inning.
In a 10-pitch at-bat against Seattle reliever Mark Lowe, Pierzynski drove a single to left field that scored Chris Getz and Alexei Ramirez and put the Sox in front.
Advancing to second base on the throw home, Pierzynski came around to score on Paul Konerko's double.
In the fourth inning Mark Kotsay hit a 2-run double with no outs, but he was stranded at third base. In the fifth Ramirez was on second base with one out and never moved. And in the sixth Konerko led off with a double and was left at third base.
"It's funny how the team can all struggle at the same time," manager Ozzie Guillen told reporters before the game. "A lot of people talk about (Alex) Rios, but J.D. (Jermaine Dye) has struggled, Carlos (Quentin) has struggled all year and P.K. has struggled.
"It's a pretty tough year for our offense. We're pitching pretty well, but if we're not hitting, that's not going to help. We've struggled very, very bad."
Freddy Garcia started for the White Sox and delivered his fifth straight quality outing. Garcia pitched 6 innings and allowed 3 runs on 7 hits.
Garcia (2-2) got the victory, and Bobby Jenks picked up his 29th save.
• Jake Peavy is going to make his first start for the White Sox on Saturday night against the Kansas City Royals at U.S. Cellular Field. Acquired in a July 31 trade from the San Diego Padres, Peavy hasn't pitched since June 8.
"I think it's going to be exciting, especially for him," Guillen told reporters.
• The tentative 2010 schedule is out, and the White Sox open at home again, April 5 against the Cleveland Indians.
The Sox play the Cubs June 11-13 at Wrigley Field. They play the Cubs at U.S. Cellular Field June 25-27.
Scot Gregor's game tracker
White Sox 6, Mariners 3
Mr. Clutch: A.J. Pierzynski is batting third for a reason. The catcher delivered a key 2-run single with two outs in the seventh inning to put the Sox in front for good.
Steady Freddy: Freddy Garcia is almost certain to be back with the White Sox in 2010. The 32-year-old righty pitched 6 innings and allowed 3 runs on 7 hits.
Rotation update: Gavin Floyd starts for the White Sox tonight, and John Danks pitches the final game of the series against Seattle. Mark Buehrle starts against the Royals at U.S. Cellular Field on Friday, followed by Jake Peavy.