Out of Right Field: Recap, takeaways from the Mariners’ 9-2 victory against the Chicago White Sox

Tim Beckham went 4 for 5 with a double, home run and three RBIs and Jay Bruce hit two solo homers as the Seattle Mariners defeated the host Chicago White Sox 9-2 Saturday afternoon.

Right-hander Mike Leake (2-0) pitched 6 1/3 solid innings for the Mariners. Leake allowed two runs – solo homers by Jose Abreu and Tim Anderson – on nine hits. He didn’t walk a batter and struck out six.

White Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito (1-1) lasted just 4 1/3 innings, allowing five runs on six hits. He walked four and struck out four.

Of note

The Mariners’ 8-2 start is the best through 10 games in franchise history. The previous mark of 7-3 was shared by the 1980, 1984, 1995, 2001, 2002 and 2009 teams. … The M’s are averaging 7.2 runs per game. … RF Mitch Haniger extended his hitting streak to nine games.

By the numbers

24: Number of home runs the Mariners have hit in their first 10 games, which would put them on pace to shatter the major-league record with 388 this season (the New York Yankees hit 267 last year, breaking the M’s mark of 264 set in 1997).

Our take from right field

Those preseason worries about the M’s rotation are, at this point, unjustified. Seattle starters are 7-0 with a 3.55 ERA. Although Leake allowed nine hits, he didn’t walk a batter and the only two runs he gave up were on solo homers. He struck out six. One bright spot in the bullpen has been RHP Brandon Brennan, who hasn’t allowed a run in five appearances. The Rule 5 draftee, who must be kept on the M’s roster all season or be offered back to Colorado, struck out both batters he faced Saturday.

Up next

The Mariners and White Sox will wrap up their three-game series at 11:10 a.m. Sunday. M’s LHP Wade LeBlanc (1-0, 6.75 ERA) is scheduled to face White Sox RHP Ivan Nova (0-0, 1.29).