Weaver pitches shutout to lead Mariners
Monday, August 13, 2007 11:16 AM PDT
| |
| Chicago White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski (left) tags out Seattle Mariners’ Jose Lopez during the first inning of a baseball game on Sunday in Chicago. |
CHICAGO (AP) — Jeff Weaver is accustomed to slow starts. He’s also getting used to dominating late in the year.
Weaver pitched his second shutout of the season and Adrian Beltre hit a two-run homer to lead the Seattle Mariners past the Chicago White Sox 6-0 Sunday.
Weaver, who started the 2006 season 1-7 before becoming the World Series hero for the St. Louis Cardinals, has won consecutive starts after losing four straight. Before beating Baltimore 10-3 on Tuesday, Weaver hadn’t won since June 25 against Boston.
‘‘It was kind of disappointing when you start out slow,’’ Weaver said. ‘‘You know what you’re capable of and when you’re not helping contribute it’s discouraging.’’
Weaver (4-10) had a season-high eight strikeouts and retired 11 in a row between the first and fourth innings. He allowed five hits and didn’t walk a batter.
Bobby Jenks pitched a perfect ninth for Chicago, breaking David Wells’ American League record and tying the major league record of 41 straight batters retired. Jim Barr also set down 41 straight for San Francisco in 1972.
‘‘To do that, it’s pretty amazing in itself,’’ White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski said. ‘‘I didn’t even realize it until a couple of days ago when people started talking about it. For him to go almost 14 innings and not walk a guy, not hit a guy, or not have a guy make an error, or a wild pitch or anything, that is pretty amazing.’’
It took Jenks only seven pitches to finish the ninth.
He knocked down Adam Jones’ liner with his glove and threw him out, Dye made a diving catch on Jamie Burke’s ball in right, and Jenks got Yuniesky Betancourt to ground out to end the inning. Jenks then pumped his fist several times and tipped his hat.
Jose Guillen and Richie Sexson also homered for the Mariners. White Sox starter John Danks gave up singles to Ichiro Suzuki and Jose Lopez to start the game. Guillen followed with a double, and Suzuki scored but Lopez was tagged out at the plate.
Guillen went to third on the throw and scored on Beltre’s groundout.
Alma wrote on Aug 28, 2009 8:22 PM:
Im so very proud of you, you did AMAZING!! Yet still very young and have years to improve, which seems scary. I know grandpa was cheering for you, chanting #1, #1... Keep up the great work kido. "