Seattle’s Big Shot Is Ducey

Ken Griffey Jr. failed to get closer to Roger Maris’ record, but teammate Rob Ducey hit a leadoff homer in the ninth to give the Seattle Mariners a 4-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night.

Griffey failed to hit a home run for the second night in a row, so he remained 11 short of Maris’ record of 61. But unlike the previous night when he saw only a couple of decent pitches, Griffey got several good swings in five appearances against Tim Belcher, Matt Whisenant and Hipolito Pichardo.

But he was 0 for 3 with two walks and hit only one ball deep, a towering fly to center in the fourth inning that was caught at the edge of the warning track. When Griffey was intentionally walked by Pichardo in the ninth, it triggered loud boos from the crowd.

“I am trying to stay away from a base hit and a home run,” said Royal Manager Tony Muser, who ordered the walk with two out and a man on third. “I am just trying to win a ballgame.”

Mike Timlin (5-4), who pitched only two-thirds of an inning, got the victory. Heathcliff Slocumb got the final three outs for his 23rd save.

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NEXT SERIES FOR ANGELS

WHO: Kansas City Royals

WHERE: Anaheim Stadium

WHEN: Thursday: 7 p.m.; Friday: 7 p.m.; Saturday: 1 p.m.