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  Sunday, Jun. 18 2:05pm ET
Mariners finish road trip 7-3
 
  RECAP | BOX SCORE | GAME LOG

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Edgar Martinez saw one good pitch Sunday in the Seattle Mariners' 10-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins.

Martinez, who walked four times, hit a chest-high fastball from Bob Wells over the right field wall for his 20th homer in the sixth inning.

"I didn't make any outs," said Martinez, who is hitting .381. "I guess it's a good game."

The heart of Seattle's order -- Alex Rodriguez, Martinez and John Olerud -- went 9-for-11 with eight RBI, eight runs scored and 23 total bases.

Rodriguez was 4-for-5, including his 19th home run, a 430-foot two-run shot in the eighth.

"I have the best right-handed hitter I've ever seen hitting behind me," Rodriguez said. "I'm a beneficiary of those two guys protecting me."

Twins manager Tom Kelly acknowledged that Martinez is one of the best hitters in the game, but said Seattle's designated hitter earned some close calls from home plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt on his four walks.

"Edgar's a big shot," Kelly said. "We have a lot of respect for him."

Olerud was 4-for-5 to raise his average to .308. The Mariners, who finished their road trip 7-3, left the bases loaded in the second and fifth innings.

Gil Meche (3-4) gave up three hits in six shutout innings. He left with tightness in his right shoulder, the same injury that put him on the disabled list in late May, manager Lou Piniella said.

"We're going to change his diet and change his running program a little bit and see if those things help," Piniella said.

Joe Mays (3-9) allowed four runs, three hits and four walks in 2 1/3 innings, his shortest outing since he went 1 1/3 innings April 11 against Boston.

Tom Lampkin's sacrifice fly put Seattle ahead in the first, and Olerud's three-run homer chased Mays in the third. Jacque Jones appeared to catch Olerud's drive by extending his glove over the center-field wall, but the ball dropped out.

"I had it. My glove hit the fence and it came out," Jones said.

Olerud's RBI single made it 5-0 in the fifth, and Rodriguez's homer increased the lead to 7-0.

Rodriguez, hitting .354, has noticed Olerud getting better as the season has progressed, and knows there's an outside chance the Mariners could have three players contending for the batting title in September.

"Anytime John Olerud puts the uniform on, he's a definite candidate for the batting title," Rodriguez said.

Olerud said he's comfortable and relaxed at the plate, but he's not sure all the kinks have been worked out of his swing.

"I'm seeing the ball good," Olerud said. "I felt like I got better swings, so hopefully I'm moving in the right direction."

That's a frightening thought for the Twins, who gave up 22 runs on 29 hits the last two games against the Mariners.

"I don't think you'll find a better 3-4-5 lineup in baseball," said Jones.

Jones hit his career-high 10th homer, a solo shot off Jose Mesa in the eighth.

Lampkin homered in the ninth off Johan Santana.

Game notes
The Mariners have won five consecutive series. ... The Twins signed 15th round draft pick Jeff Lincoln, the brother of Twins pitcher Mike Lincoln. Minnesota has signed 21 of its 52 picks. ... Seattle starters have 30 wins, second-most in the American League. ... Twins reliever Eddie Guardado made his 400th career appearance when he relieved Bob Wells in the sixth. ... Minnesota completed a 3-7 homestand.

 


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