Hernandez Breaks Heart Of M’S Order Again

Asked to protect a one-run lead in the ninth inning for the second straight game against the heart of Seattle’s lineup, Roberto Hernandez was nearly perfect.

Hernandez, on in relief of Kevin Tapani, allowed a leadoff single to Ken Griffey Jr., but set down Edgar Martinez, Jay Buhner and Paul Sorrento in order for the second straight night to give the Chicago White Sox a 4-3 win over the Mariners.

“Back-to-back days like that, that’s perfect,” said Hernandez, who has not allowed a run in 13-2/3 innings.

Harold Baines, Robin Ventura and Darren Lewis each hit doubles in the sixth inning to send the White Sox to their fourth straight win.

Tapani (2-0) gave up six hits, walked one and struck out two in eight innings before giving way to Hernandez, who on Wednesday pitched the ninth to get a save for starter Wilson Alvarez.

Bob Wolcott (1-3) took the loss, giving up seven hits and walking one over 5-1/3 innings.

“I’m sick of losing games,” Wolcott said. “I thought I could have pulled it off. I feel the heat on this loss.”

It was pretty simple, said manager Lou Piniella, whose club has lost five of its last six.

“They were coming up with the clutch hits and we were not,” he said.

Martinez hit two doubles for Seattle, extending his hitting streak to 14 games.

Trailing 3-2 in the sixth, Chicago tied it on doubles by Baines and Ventura. Wolcott got Danny Tartabull to line out, then was relieved by Bob Wells, who gave up a double to Lewis, allowing Ventura to score.