Rangers Swept Aside by Griffey, Mariners

ARLINGTON, Texas — The Texas Rangers can testify that mistakes against the Seattle Mariners usually prove to be fatal.

Seattle scored three runs in the second inning after an error by Benji Gil, and Jay Buhner and Ken Griffey Jr. hit home runs as the Mariners swept a four-game series with a 6-4 victory over the Rangers on Sunday.

“It was a great weekend for us in Texas,” Mariner Manager Lou Piniella said. “Let’s enjoy this. We got good pitching, good hitting, and nice plays in the field.”

Winner Jeff Fassero (7-3) gave up seven hits and three runs--one earned--in seven innings. John Burkett (5-6), who gave up five runs and 10 hits, took the loss.

“The sweep was important for us because it gives us some breathing room in our division,” Fassero said. “We know what we have to do to beat these guys. It puts more pressure on them. Our starting rotation has been solidified and we have tough hitting.”

Bobby Ayala replaced Fassero in the eighth to get his sixth save.

“Bobby did a good job of holding Texas off,” Piniella said. “Texas is a good comeback team.”

First-place Seattle pulled five games ahead of third-place Texas in the American League West.

Griffey got his major-league leading 29th home run in the top of the ninth.

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Next Series for Angels

WHO: Texas Rangers

WHERE: at Texas

WHEN: Today: 5:30 p.m., Tuesday: 5:30 p.m., Wednesday: 11:30 a.m.