Good afternoon folks. This will be my last time covering the Mariners this season and I thank you for your patience over these last three days. Seattle can win the four-game series with the Royals today after taking two of the first three.

Leftie Anthony Vasquez (1-2, 9.00 ERA) will be on the mound for the M’s and Kansas City counters with left-hander Everett Teaford (0-0, 3.21).

Today the Mariners will join leaguewide efforts to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and have a number of things planned. I’ll provide updates from the game action below.

* * *

Bottom of the ninth: Soria comes on and gets Ackley to fly out to left. Then Carp strikes out. Smoak singles to get the tying run on board. Trayvon Robinson pitch runs. After a long battle, Miguel Olivo flies out to left to end this one. Royals win 2-1 and earn a split of the four-game series.

Top of the ninth: Great showing by Delabar, who gets Escobar to fly out and then strikes out Gordon and Cabrera to retire the side in order. On we go to the bottom of the ninth. It’s 2-1 Kansas City.

Bottom of the eighth: Ichiro hits a two-out RBI double to bring in pinch runner Michael Saunders from first base. Brendan Ryan can’t continue the rally, however, and flies out to center. Steve Delabar comes in for Seattle to make his major-league debut. Mariners down 2-1.

Top of the eighth: Ruffin gets two strikeouts in a 1-2-3 inning for the M’s but Seattle is running out of outs. Greg Holland comes on in relief for KC leading 2-0.

Bottom of the seventh: The woes continue for the M’s at the plate. Both Carp and Olivo strike out in the inning. Smoak had grounded out to second. Chance Ruffin coming in for Seattle, which is losing 2-0.

Top of the seventh: Vasquez gives up a single to Pena, then can’t make the play on a sacrifice by Getz and there are two on with no outs. Shawn Kelley comes on in relief and strikes out Escobar on a failed sacrifice. KC tacks on another double with a Gordon RBI double, but Butler pops to second and Hosmer flies out to deep center to limit the damage. It’s 2-0 Royals.

Bottom of the sixth: Teaford done after five shutout innings and Blake Wood comes in. Attendance today: 20,951. Wood goes 1-2-3, with Ichiro grounding out, then Ryan and Ackley striking out. That’s five K’s in the last six outs for the M’s, who are losing 1-0.

Top of the sixth: Hosmer doubles, but KC doesn’t get anything out of it as Vasquez gets two grounders to short and a pop up to second. KC 1-0.

Bottom of the fifth: Teaford with three K’s in the frame, striking out Olivo to start. Wells drew a base on balls but was stranded when Bard and Liddi also went down on strikes. On to the sixth, it’s 1-0 Royals.

Top of the fifth: Royals threaten with two men on after Getz was hit by a pitch and Escobar singled. Vasquez got out of trouble when Casper Wells made a nice diving catch in center to rob Cabrera and end the inning. KC up 1-0.

Bottom of the fourth: Ackley bunts to get on base, but he’s doubled off by KC right fielder Jeff Francoeur, who a hard line-drive off Carp’s bat. Smoak then connected well, but Gordon made a nice catch in left to end the inning. More great contact by the M’s but no luck as they trail 1-0.

Top of the fourth: Butler leads off the inning with a hit to right field, one that Ichiro appeared to could’ve caught. The ball short-hopped into his glove. Hosmer and Francoeur then flied out, and Navarro popped out to retire the side. Royals up 1-0.

Bottom of the third: Quick work there as Alex Liddi makes good contact but lines out to short to start the inning. Ichiro grounds out to second and Ryan grounds out to third to end it. 1-0 Kansas City.

Top of the third: Mike Carp can’t find a fly ball in the sun off Gordon’s bat and Alcides Escobar, who singled earlier, is able to come around and score on the double. Tough luck for Vasquez, who had been cruising. Royals take a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the frame.

Bottom of the second: Justin Smoak hits a hard line-drive to start the inning but Alcides Escobar makes a great diving grab at shortstop. Miguel Olivo follows it up with a single and the M’s already have as many hits as they had last night. Casper Wells hits into a fielder’s choice (5-4) and Josh Bard lines out hard to left to end the frame. Still 0-0 here.

Top of the second: Easy work in the second for Vasquez. Eric Hosmer grounds out to second. Jeff Francoeur lines out to third. Yamaico Navarro flies out to center. No score.

Bottom of the first: Ichiro flies out to left to start, but then Brendan Ryan singles on a high chopper to short that didn’t draw a throw. Ryan steals second and makes it to third on a wild pitch, but Dustin Ackley and Mike Carp strike out swinging to retire the side. Mariners already have more runners left on base than yesterday. Scoreless after one.

Top of the first: Vasquez off the best start I’ve seen in these three games. He strikes out Alex Gordon to start the inning and then gets Billy Butler to ground into a 6-4-3 double play after Melky Cabrera singled. It’s 0-0.

OAKLAND, Calif., Sept. 5 (UPI) — Billy Butler blasted a pair of homers, driving in three runs, and the Kansas City Royals scored five times in the ninth to defeat Oakland 11-6.

Butler went 3-for-4 and Eric Hosmer added three hits and two RBI with two runs scored as the Royals won for the third time in five games.

Greg Holland (4-1) tossed a scoreless eighth to secure the victory for the Royals, who got two RBI each from Jeff Francoeur and Mike Moustakas.

A’s closer Andrew Bailey (0-4) coughed up three runs on three hits in the final inning to suffer the loss.

Oakland’s Scott Sizemore pounded a three-run homer.

Billy Butler and Melky Cabrera homered to lead the Kansas City Royals to a 5-1 win over the Chicago White on Friday night.

Bruce Chen continued his mastery of the White Sox, holding Chicago to one hit over six innings. Chen (7-5) is 2-0 with a 0.90 ERA in three starts against the White Sox this season.

Butler homered in the sixth and had an RBI single in the first. Cabrera broke the game open with a three-run homer in the ninth.

Alex Gordon singled, doubled, walked twice, scored a run, stole a base and reached on catcher’s interference for the Royals, who snapped a four-game losing streak.

Rookie Zach Stewart (1-2) pitched well in his home debut as a member of the White Sox. He held the Royals to two runs and seven hits in 6 1-3 innings.

Juan Pierre had an RBI single, driving in Chicago’s only run in the ninth, and walked twice.

Chicago’s Paul Konerko singled, extending his hitting streak to nine games, and walked twice. The White Sox had just three hits in the game but still managed to strand 10 runners.

The White Sox have lost seven straight at U.S. Cellular Field and 13 of their last 17. Chicago fell five games behind Detroit in the AL Central.

Butler’s two hits came on the heels of his 1-for-15 series at Tampa Bay. Butler has hit eight of his 14 home runs in the month since the All-Star break.

Chen walked three batters and hit two more combined in the first three innings.

Alex Rios ended both the first and third by flying out with the bases loaded. Rios, who entered the game hitting .170 in 94 at-bats with runners in scoring position, was loudly booed after each plate appearance.

After the White Sox were unable to take advantage of Chen’s early wildness, he recovered to retire the last seven batters he faced and 10 of the last 11.

Brent Morel was the only baserunner in that stretch, reaching on a double error in the fourth. Chen appeared to have struck out Morel with an 0-2 pitch was called for a quick pitch, an automatic ball.

NOTES: White Sox OF Alejandro De Aza took groundballs at first base during pregame drills. Manager Ozzie Guillen said that if Adam Dunn continues to struggle, De Aza gives him another first base option against right-handed pitching. … Pitcher Kyle Davies cleared waivers on Friday after being released by the Royals on Wednesday and is now a free agent. Since he went unclaimed, Kansas City will be responsible for the balance of Davies’ contract. Davies was arrested early Tuesday in St. Petersburg, Fla., for disorderly intoxication, an incident the Royals didn’t learn about until Thursday. … The Royals assigned LHP Clayton Schulz to their rookie-league affiliate in Arizona. Schulz, who was signed recently by Kansas City from a collegiate league team in Chillicothe, Mo., survived a shark attack in Jacksonville Beach, Fla., in July of 2010. He received more than 400 stitches after being bitten while surfing. … The Royals activated C Brayan Pena, who had been away on maternity leave, and sent C Manuel Pina to Triple-A Omaha. … Jake Peavy will start for Chicago on Saturday against Kansas City’s Luke Hochevar. Hochevar is 4-0 over his last eight starts, with the Royals going 7-1 in those games. Peavy has dropped four of his last five decisions. … White Sox C A.J. Pierzynski had to leave the game after being hit on the right wrist by a pitch in the third. X-rays on the injury were negative and he’s listed as day-to-day. … Chicago’s Carlos Quentin was hit by a pitch in the first inning. It was the 23rd hit by pitch for Quentin this season, tying a White Sox record set by Minnie Minoso in 1956. … The Royals stole five bases in the game, one shy of their season high. Kansas City has stolen five or more bases three times this season.

CHICAGO — Billy Butler and Melky Cabrera homered to lead the Kansas City Royals to a 5-1 win over the Chicago White on Friday night.Bruce Chen continued his mastery of the White Sox, holding Chicago to one hit over six innings. Chen (7-5) is 2-0 with a 0.90 ERA in three starts against the White Sox this season.Butler homered in the sixth and had an RBI single in the first. Cabrera broke the game open with a three-run homer in the ninth.Alex Gordon singled, doubled, walked twice, scored a run, stole a base and reached on catcher’s interference for the Royals, who snapped a four-game losing streak.Rookie Zach Stewart (1-2) pitched well in his home debut as a member of the White Sox. He held the Royals to two runs and seven hits in 6 1/3 innings.Juan Pierre had an RBI single, driving in Chicago’s only run in the ninth, and walked twice.Chicago’s Paul Konerko singled, extending his hitting streak to nine games, and walked twice. The White Sox had just three hits in the game but still managed to strand 10 runners.The White Sox have lost seven straight at U.S. Cellular Field and 13 of their last 17. Chicago fell five games behind Detroit in the AL Central.Butler’s two hits came on the heels of his 1-for-15 series at Tampa Bay. Butler has hit eight of his 14 home runs in the month since the All-Star break.Chen walked three batters and hit two more combined in the first three innings.Alex Rios ended both the first and third by flying out with the bases loaded. Rios, who entered the game hitting .170 in 94 at-bats with runners in scoring position, was loudly booed after each plate appearance.After the White Sox were unable to take advantage of Chen’s early wildness, he recovered to retire the last seven batters he faced and 10 of the last 11.Brent Morel was the only baserunner in that stretch, reaching on a double error in the fourth. Chen appeared to have struck out Morel with an 0-2 pitch was called for a quick pitch, an automatic ball.NOTES: White Sox OF Alejandro De Aza took groundballs at first base during pregame drills. Manager Ozzie Guillen said that if Adam Dunn continues to struggle, De Aza gives him another first base option against right-handed pitching. … Pitcher Kyle Davies cleared waivers on Friday after being released by the Royals on Wednesday and is now a free agent. Since he went unclaimed, Kansas City will be responsible for the balance of Davies’ contract. … The Royals assigned LHP Clayton Schulz to their rookie-league affiliate in Arizona. Schulz, who was signed recently by Kansas City from the Chillicothe Mudcats — a MINK League team — survived a shark attack in Jacksonville Beach, Fla., in July of 2010. He received more than 400 stitches after being bitten while surfing. … The Royals activated C Brayan Pena, who had been away on maternity leave, and sent C Manny Pina to Triple-A Omaha. … Jake Peavy will start for Chicago on tonight against Kansas City’s Luke Hochevar. Hochevar is 4-0 over his last eight starts, with the Royals going 7-1 in those games. Peavy has dropped four of his last five decisions. … White Sox C A.J. Pierzynski had to leave the game after being hit on the right wrist by a pitch in the third. X-rays on the injury were negative and he’s listed as day-to-day. … Chicago’s Carlos Quentin was hit by a pitch in the first inning. It was the 23rd hit by pitch for Quentin this season, tying a White Sox record set by Minnie Minoso in 1956. … The Royals stole five bases in the game, one shy of their season high. Kansas City has stolen five or more bases three times this season.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

CHICAGO (AP) – Billy Butler and Melky Cabrera homered to lead the Kansas City Royals to a 5-1 win over the Chicago White on Friday night.

Bruce Chen continued his mastery of the White Sox, holding Chicago to one hit over six innings. Chen (7-5) is 2-0 with a 0.90 ERA in three starts against the White Sox this season.

Butler homered in the sixth and had an RBI single in the first. Cabrera broke the game open with a three-run homer in the ninth.

Alex Gordon singled, doubled, walked twice, scored a run, stole a base and reached on catcher’s interference for the Royals, who snapped a four-game losing streak.

Rookie Zach Stewart (1-2) pitched well in his home debut as a member of the White Sox. He held the Royals to two runs and seven hits in 6 1-3 innings.

Juan Pierre had an RBI single, driving in Chicago’s only run in the ninth, and walked twice.

Chicago’s Paul Konerko singled, extending his hitting streak to nine games, and walked twice. The White Sox had just three hits in the game but still managed to strand 10 runners.

The White Sox have lost seven straight at U.S. Cellular Field and 13 of their last 17. Chicago fell five games behind Detroit in the AL Central.

Butler’s two hits came on the heels of his 1-for-15 series at Tampa Bay. Butler has hit eight of his 14 home runs in the month since the All-Star break.

Chen walked three batters and hit two more combined in the first three innings.

Alex Rios ended both the first and third by flying out with the bases loaded. Rios, who entered the game hitting .170 in 94 at-bats with runners in scoring position, was loudly booed after each plate appearance.

After the White Sox were unable to take advantage of Chen’s early wildness, he recovered to retire the last seven batters he faced and 10 of the last 11.

Brent Morel was the only baserunner in that stretch, reaching on a double error in the fourth. Chen appeared to have struck out Morel with an 0-2 pitch was called for a quick pitch, an automatic ball.

NOTES: White Sox OF Alejandro De Aza took groundballs at first base during pregame drills. Manager Ozzie Guillen said that if Adam Dunn continues to struggle, De Aza gives him another first base option against right-handed pitching. … Pitcher Kyle Davies cleared waivers on Friday after being released by the Royals on Wednesday and is now a free agent. Since he went unclaimed, Kansas City will be responsible for the balance of Davies’ contract. Davies was arrested early Tuesday in St. Petersburg, Fla., for disorderly intoxication, an incident the Royals didn’t learn about until Thursday. … The Royals assigned LHP Clayton Schulz to their rookie-league affiliate in Arizona. Schulz, who was signed recently by Kansas City from a collegiate league team in Chillicothe, Mo., survived a shark attack in Jacksonville Beach, Fla., in July of 2010. He received more than 400 stitches after being bitten while surfing. … The Royals activated C Brayan Pena, who had been away on maternity leave, and sent C Manuel Pina to Triple-A Omaha. … Jake Peavy will start for Chicago on Saturday against Kansas City’s Luke Hochevar. Hochevar is 4-0 over his last eight starts, with the Royals going 7-1 in those games. Peavy has dropped four of his last five decisions. … White Sox C A.J. Pierzynski had to leave the game after being hit on the right wrist by a pitch in the third. X-rays on the injury were negative and he’s listed as day-to-day. … Chicago’s Carlos Quentin was hit by a pitch in the first inning. It was the 23rd hit by pitch for Quentin this season, tying a White Sox record set by Minnie Minoso in 1956. … The Royals stole five bases in the game, one shy of their season high. Kansas City has stolen five or more bases three times this season.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals are going through the growing pains of a promising young team.

Jeff Niemann won his sixth consecutive decision, Ben Zobrist had a two-run triple and the Tampa Bay Rays completed a four-game sweep with a 4-1 victory over the Royals yesterday.

“It’s miserable when you lose,” Kansas City Manager Ned Yost said. “But you have to remind yourself every day where you’re headed, knowing that is all part of the process. There’s no way to make it quicker. You have to go through it.”

Kansas City, which has the youngest 25-man roster in the majors, has lost six of seven. The Royals had 11 hits but went 1 for 9 with runners in scoring position and left 10 on base.

“This is the most painful part,” Yost said. “This is where it hurts. We start to really show some improvement, but you can’t get over the hump in winning games. You’re really close. The hardest part is maintaining your patience and maintaining your sense of reality, exactly what you’re trying to accomplish and how you’re going to get there.”

Niemann (7-4) allowed one run and nine hits over 61/3 innings. The right-hander is 6-0 in nine starts since returning from a strained lower back.

The Rays’ first four-game home sweep since July 28-31, 2005 — also against Kansas City — included an 8-7 win Wednesday night in which Tampa Bay scored five times in the ninth.

Kansas City rookie left-hander Danny Duffy (3-6) gave up three runs and five hits over seven innings.

“I feel like I gave it my all,” Duffy said. “I had a solid outing, but it wasn’t enough.”

After Joel Peralta threw 12/3 scoreless innings for Tampa Bay, Kyle Farnsworth pitched the ninth for his 21st save.

Tampa Bay took a 2-1 lead when Zobrist drove in two runs on a third-inning triple. Desmond Jennings tripled and scored to make it 3-1 on Evan Longoria’s fifth-inning sacrifice fly.

Sean Rodriguez extended the advantage to 4-1 on an eighth-inning RBI single.

The Royals had runners on second and third with no outs in the first but scored just one run on Eric Hosmer’s grounder. Kansas City was hitless in five at-bats with runners in scoring position through two innings.

Hosmer was retired on a grounder with two on and two outs in the fifth. Niemann struck out Alex Gordon with two outs and the bases loaded one inning later.

“You see all the young talent here,” Kansas City right fielder Jeff Francoeur said. “Now it’s learning how to play in the big leagues. Every single person goes through it.”

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.