CHICAGO (AP) — Mike Zunino homered and scored twice to back Felix Hernandez in the Seattle Mariners’ 4-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday.
Chicago’s Yoan Moncada hit his first career leadoff homer. At 5-16, the White Sox are off to their worst start since 1950.
Zunino doubled and scored in a two-run third and gave the Mariners a 4-3 lead with a solo drive to right against James Shields in the sixth. Nelson Cruz added three hits, including two RBI singles.
Hernandez (3-2) settled down after a shaky start, scattering three runs and seven hits over six innings. The 2010 AL Cy Young Award winner struck out six and walked two.
James Pazos and Juan Nicasio each worked a perfect inning, and Edwin Diaz tossed a one-two-three ninth for his 10th save in as many chances.
Shields (1-3) went six innings, allowing four runs and six hits. The right-hander is 0-3 in four starts and five appearances since a season-opening win at Kansas City.
Yolmer Sanchez doubled, singled and scored two runs for Chicago. But the White Sox lost for the 14th time in 16 games.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Mariners: The Mariners expect 1B Ryon Healy (sprained right ankle) to return from the 10-day disabled list at during this weekend’s four-game series at Cleveland. Healy — who had 25 homers and 78 RBIs with Oakland last season — was 2 for 22 before getting hurt during a postgame workout. “He needs to come in and contribute; he knows that. He’s off to a slow start,” manager Scott Servais said. “Giving him the extra days of at-bats and playing time on the rehab assignment hopefully helps him.”
White Sox: Slugger Jose Abreu left the game because of flu-like symptoms. The 2014 AL Rookie of the Year was replaced at first base by Matt Davidson to start the fourth.
UP NEXT
Mariners: The Mariners and Indians open their four-game series, with Seattle’s LHP James Paxton (1-1, 5.61 ERA) trying to bounce back from a rough start and RHP Mike Clevinger (2-0, 1.75) looking to remain unbeaten. Paxton got hit hard at Texas on Saturday, though the Mariners won 9-7.
White Sox: Tied for the major league lead with 19 walks, RHP Lucas Giolito (0-3, 9.00) hopes to solve his control problems as the White Sox open a five-game series at Kansas City. RHP Jakob Junis (3-1, 2.03) goes for the Royals. The teams are scheduled to play a day-night doubleheader Saturday.
