Mariners Sneak By ChiSox

Freddy Garcia's previous start caught up with him Monday. He still had enough energy to beat the Chicago White Sox and earn his 14th victory, three off the Seattle Mariners' rookie record.

"Freddy lost his stuff and he lost it quick," Mariners manager Lou Piniella said after Seattle beat the Chicago White Sox 5-2 in the opener of a doubleheader.

Garcia (14-7) threw a 139-pitch, 12-strikeout shutout six days ago against Detroit. On Monday, he lasted just 5 1-3 innings.

The Mariners, who broke a three-game losing streak, got strong performances from relievers Jose Paniagua and Jose Mesa to close out the win.

Paniagua went 2 2-3 innings, allowing one hit, and Mesa pitched the ninth for his 30th save, striking out Frank Thomas to end the game with two runners on.

"A typical Seattle save," Piniella said. "Mesa gets the job done. He made it a little exciting at times. But he threw some good fastballs past Frank Thomas."

Russ Davis hit a go-ahead, two-run single in the sixth and Edgar Martinez homered for the Mariners.

Garcia won his third straight start, allowing seven hits and two runs. Mark Langston in 1984 and Dave Fleming in 1992 won 17 games as Mariners rookies.

Chicago efty Jim Parque (9-11) lost his fifth straight decision, allowing nine hits and four runs in 6 2-3 innings. He walked Martinez and Jay Buhner to start the sixth and Davis delivered a two-run single after a sacrifice by Dan Wilson for a 4-2 Seattle lead.

Brian Hunter added an RBI single in the eighth off reliever Sean Lowe.

"I'm not disappointed in my performance," Parque said. "I feel I'm getting better and better. The walks hurt and Edgar hit a changeup when he was on his front foot."

Martinez hit his 19th homer one out after a single by Ken Griffey Jr. in the fourth. Mike Caruso's two-out single in the third scored Craig Wilson, who had doubled, with Chicago's first run. The White Sox tied it in the fourth on a single by Paul Konerko, double by Carlos Lee and RBI grounder by Craig Wilson.

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