The Seattle Mariners go after a third straight win on Thursday when they open a four-game set with the Chicago White Sox at Safeco Field.
Seattle took both matchups from the Atlanta Braves this week thanks in part to a 7-3 win in Wednesday's finale. Logan Morrison hit a go-ahead three-run home run in the third inning of that one, while Dustin Ackley, Kendrys Morales, Kyle Seager and Chris Taylor finished with an RBI each as the Mariners won back-to-back games for the first time since winning four in a row from June 29-July 2.
Chris Young (10-6) allowed three runs on seven hits while striking out six in five innings, earning his first 10-win season since 2006 with the San Diego Padres.
"It's my goal coming in to be able to take the ball and go out there and compete and give my team a chance to win," Young said. "We've had a tough stretch. We've played some tough teams, but you just have to concentrate on one game at a time."
Hoping for the same kind of support this evening will be left-handed rookie Roenis Elias, who has lost four of his last five decisions. Elias absorbed the loss on Friday in Baltimore, despite a solid showing that saw him allow two runs (1 earned) and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings. Still and all, he fell to 8-9 to go along with a 4.19 ERA.
"I did my job," Elias said. "I went out and pitched like I do every day. I didn't have the luck to win, but that's the way the ball bounces."
Elias lost his only other start to the White Sox, giving up five runs in five innings back on July 4.
Chicago, meanwhile, will counter with righty Scott Carroll, who is 4-6 with a 4.36 ERA. Carroll did not get a decision on Saturday versus the Minnesota Twins, as he surrendered four runs in seven innings of his team's 8-6 loss.
"If I execute some pitches in those first couple of innings, it's a little bit different story," said Carroll, who has never faced the Mariners. "I'm proud to compete and go seven and give this team a chance to win."
Chicago lost for the fourth time in five tries on Wednesday, as it dropped a 3-1 decision to the woeful Texas Rangers. The White Sox have been outscored by a 46-15 margin in the stretch.
Chris Sale (10-2) struck out nine and yielded just three hits over six innings, but received his second setback of the season.
Chicago took two of three from the Mariners earlier in the year.
[SportsNetwork.com]
