Griffey Hits 42nd, Mariners Win

Ken Griffey Jr. ended his longest home-run drought in more than a year.

Griffey hit his 42nd homer Saturday, ending a 12-game power outage that had stretched 54 at-bats, and the Seattle Mariners beat the Chicago White Sox 13-7.

"I don't have anything to say," is all Griffey said to reporters following the game.

Griffey homered off Jaime Navarro (8-14) in the first inning -- his first since July 30 -- to end his longest homerless streak since July 5-July 25, 1997.

"Griff's been scuffling a little bit, but he'll get it going," Mariners manager Lou Piniella said.

Griffey's homer off Navarro on a 1-2 pitch went to the opposite field, just clearing the left-field wall.

"You never know with him," winner Bill Swift said. "The ball was in the other batter's box when he hit it. If we can get can him back on track, we'll be OK."

Griffey, who's made it clear all season he has no interest in the chase of Roger Maris, is third in the major-league home run race, trailing Mark McGwire, who began the day with 47, and Sammy Sosa, who came in with 46.

"I don't worry about home runs," Griffey said Friday before the series began. "You got to think about hitting it hard and then if it goes out, it's a plus. I don't think about home runs like everybody wants me to and they think I should."

Navarro has allowed 27 homers this season, second in the AL behind Charles Nagy.

He was not available for comment after another poor outing that could send him out of the rotation.

"It's been a struggle all year nd there is some concern about his situation," White Sox manager Jerry Manuel said. "We have to discuss this and sit down with the heads of state and make a decision for his sake."

Russ Davis and Jay Buhner also homered for Seattle, and Swift (10-6) allowed two runs -- one earned -- and five hits in five innings to get his first win since July 17. He left one inning after he was struck in the right shin bone by a hard grounder off the bat of Magglio Ordonez.

"They were worried about me changing mechanics with a sore leg and it was a long inning," Swift said. "Any time you get a chance to win, you can't complain."

Griffey's homer gave the Mariners A 2-0 lead. Two-out singles by David Segui and Jay Buhner in the third preceded Davis' three-run shot, his 18th of the season. Buhner led off the fifth with a solo homer, putting the Mariners ahead 7-2 and chasing Navarro.

Seattle added five more in the sixth against Carlos Castillo on Joey Cora's double, Alex Rodriguez's triple, Griffey's double, Buhner's RBI single, Joe Oliver's run-scoring double and an error by first baseman Greg Norton.

Navarro, who lost his fourth consecutive decision, gave up seven runs, seven hits and five walks in four-plus innings, leaving to a loud chorus of boos.

Robin Ventura hit an RBI single in the first. Albert Belle walked and stole second in the fourth, but after Swift struck out the next two batters, Belle was hit by Ordonez's grounder. Swift picked up the ball and threw past first, allowing Belle to score.

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