The game was decided in the top of the 10th inning, but it was lost for the Mariners in the first seven innings – seven very frustrating, unproductive innings. Sure, Conor Gillaspie provided the winning score, singling home Jordan Danks with an unearned run in the top of the 10th off Mariners closer Fernando Rodney in Saturday’s 2-1 loss before 40,122.

Conor Gillespie’s RBI single with two outs in the 10th inning helped the Chicago White Sox to a 2-1 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Saturday night in Seattle.

SEATTLE – Lou Piniella had to stop, collect himself and fight back tears. It was not the type of emotion Seattle Mariners fans got accustomed to seeing from the fiery Piniella during his 10 seasons managing the club.

SEATTLE – While Hisashi Iwakuma felt his command was terrible, the results looked awfully familiar. Iwakuma pitched seven innings of one-run ball despite some trouble with his off-speed repertoire, and the Seattle Mariners beat the Chicago White Sox 4-1 on Friday night for their fourth straight victory.

Mike Zunino hit a three-run homer, Hisashi Iwakuma pitched seven innings and the Seattle Mariners beat the Chicago White Sox 4-1 on Friday night for their fourth straight victory.

The Mariners used the long ball to open up a floodgate of runs – the most in a game this season – while rolling to a third straight victory on Thursday night at Safeco Field. Long ball?

Roenis Elias took a no-hitter into the fifth inning, Dustin Ackley led a potent Seattle offense with a home run and four RBI, and the Mariners beat the Chicago White Sox 13-3 on Thursday night.

SEATTLE – The suspense is largely gone, the mystery long ago faded. When Felix Hernandez pitches for the Seattle Mariners this season, two things are nearly guaranteed: He will go seven innings, and he will give up two earned runs or fewer. But whatever uncertainty hovers over a Hernandez start stems not from anything in his control. It stems from whether his offense will give him the run support that has so often eluded him during his career.

Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon smiles at the thought. It’s not a smile of humor but of satisfaction and pride. He sees Austin Jackson and the player he has become and takes pride in knowing he helped that process. Jackson was a rookie when he was traded to the Tigers as part of a huge three-team deal that sent Curtis Granderson to the Yankees before 2010 season.

BALTIMORE – One mistake to the first batter of the game saddled Hisashi Iwakuma with a loss. One mistake to the first batter of the game shouldn’t dictate the outcome for the Mariners.