It’s Another Shutout Victory for Mariners

Joel Pineiro pitched a career-best three-hitter to win his seventh consecutive decision and lead the Seattle Mariners over the Texas Rangers, 4-0, Saturday at Seattle.

Pineiro (12-5) struck out seven and walked two in his third career shutout and second this season. He beat Minnesota, 6-0, with a four-hitter on May 30.

The West Division-leading Mariners lead the majors with 12 shutouts. The Rangers have been shut out nine times, second-most in the majors.

The three hits were a season low for the Rangers (41-62), who are a season-worst 21 games under .500.

Colby Lewis (4-6) was recalled from triple-A Oklahoma earlier in the day to start for the Rangers. He yielded three runs and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings. Lewis started the season with the Rangers before being optioned to Oklahoma on June 13.

Texas’ R.A. Dickey was originally scheduled to start but pitched two innings of relief Friday night after starter Robert Ellis lasted only four innings.

Cleveland 9, Minnesota 2 -- Rookie Jody Gerut hit a grand slam to highlight an eight-run second inning at Cleveland, and Billy Traber (5-5) made the lead stand up by holding the Twins to one earned run and six hits in 6 1/3 innings.

Traber, a rookie left-hander from Loyola Marymount, is 5-1 in six starts at home this season.

The Indians, 2-8 since the All-Star break, slowed down the Twins, who had won seven of nine in the second half.

Detroit 5, Kansas City 1 -- Jeremy Bonderman took a three-hit shutout into the ninth inning and Ramon Santiago hit a two-run triple to help the Tigers improve to 13-36 at home, winning for the second time in three games after a six-game losing streak.

Bonderman (4-14) won for the second time in three starts. Three outs shy of his first career shutout, he walked Aaron Guiel leading off the ninth and was lifted after throwing a wild pitch.

Baltimore 7, Toronto 2 -- Pat Hentgen (3-5), pitching at SkyDome for only the second time since leaving the Blue Jays after the 1999 season, won his second straight start, yielding two runs and five hits while striking out five and walking two in six innings.

Tampa Bay 10, Chicago 6 -- Rocco Baldelli homered and drove in four runs to help the Devil Rays win for only the 15th time in 49 road games. The loss ended an eight-game winning streak by the White Sox.