White Sox shut out Mariners, increase Central lead

While the White Sox continued to climb against the Mariners at Safeco Field on Tuesday night, manager Ozzie Guillen said he was "very surprised" to hear Cubs counterpart Lou Piniella is stepping down at the end of the season.

The first-place Sox defeated Seattle 4-0 behind another strong start from Jonn Danks. With the victory, the Sox moved 31/2 games ahead of both the Minnesota Twins and the Detroit Tigers in the AL Central.

J.J. Putz got the final out of the eighth, and Bobby Jenks pitched a perfect ninth in his first appearance since he failed to record an out Sunday, when he was charged with 4 runs in a loss at Minnesota.

Danks allowed just 2 hits, and he got run support in the fourth inning when Alex Rios led off with a walk against Seattle starter Doug Fister and went to third on Paul Konerko's double.

Rios scored on Mark Kotsay's groundout to second base, which would have been a hit if not for a standout defensive play by Chone Figgins.

The White Sox made it 3-0 in the fifth inning.

Alexei Ramirex led off with an infield single and advanced to second on Gordon Beckham's groundout.

Juan Pierre followed with a double to score Ramirez, and Omar Vizquel singled. Rios followed with another single to score Pierre.

Ramirez concluded the scoring with a solo home run in the ninth inning.

Carlos Quentin (sore right hand) sat out for the second straight game, and Guillen said the right fielder is not expected to return to the lineup until Friday, when the Sox open a three-game series at Oakland.

Before the game, Guillen paid his respects to Piniella.

"I think this man, when you talk about baseball, period, Lou Piniella's name has to come up," Guillen told reporters. "As a player, as a coach, as a manager, I think this guy will be in the Hall of Fame."

In the final year of his contract, there's been plenty of speculation that this was going to be Piniella's last season with the Cubs. Guillen is just happy the veteran skipper is getting to go out on his own terms.

"That's easy when you have his age and had the career that he had and had the privilege to have to power to say 'I'm done,' " Guillen said. "Meanwhile, when my day comes I hope it comes like that. Leave and pack my stuff up on my own, not people firing me or something like that.

"Will we miss him? Yes. This guy brings a lot to the game. A lot. Meanwhile, people have to respect his decision."

Piniella is going to be 67 at the end of the season. Would the 46-year-old Guillen consider managing that long?

"I don't think I will be alive at 67," Guillen said. "I'm serious. I'm 46. That's - 21 years. No way. No chance. I'm done.

"I hope I make it to 50. I'm 46 and still good looking and my wife doesn't like me. This game can eat you up and chew you out in a hurry."

Scot Gregor's game tracker White Sox 4, Mariners 0Bouncing back: After allowing 6 runs in 6 innings in his last start, Thursday at Minnesota, left-hander John Danks bounced back with a dominant start against the Mariners, pitching 72/3 scoreless innings.Still picking: Third baseman Omar Vizquel continued to amaze at the age of 43. In the sixth inning, he dove to his right and threw out Jose Lopez at third base.Still sidelined: Carlos Quentin (sore right hand) sat out his second straight game and isn't expected to play until Friday.False433512White Sox' Juan Pierre pops out in the first inning.Associated PressFalse