The Final Score: Mariners 6, White Sox 4

(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

A great game was played last night although more bad news on the injury front came after the game:  Kenji Johjima went on the DL after the game again last night.  His injury was described as "day-today."   

Although Kenji's out again, the Mariners, lead in part by Luke French, after his 4 and 2/3 innings of prestine pitching, went on the win last night, with a score of 6 to 4.

Last night, Waki's line-up was changed again, this time experimenting with Franki Gutierez in the number two slot.  Branyan was batting sixth in the wake of his recent slump.

And I guess Kenji knew he'd be injured again, because he slugged a two run homer, the winning force of last night's game.

After rookie left-hander Luke French tossed 4 2/3 stellar innings, he wobbled in the fifth and sixth innings and settled for a no-decision in his home debut. Right-handed relievers Sean White, Mark Lowe and David Aardsma held the visitors scoreless over the final 3 2/3 innings.

White got the win, improving to 3-2, Lowe worked a perfect eighth inning and Aardsma retired three of the four batters he faced in the ninth for his 27th save in 29 save chances.

First baseman Russell Branyan contributed his 27th home run, a solo shot that knotted the game in the sixth inning, and Ken Griffey Jr. delivered a two-run single in the fourth that produced the first runs of the series opener.  And, for one of the few times recently, Johjima was a big part of the Mariners lineup!

Waki said about Johjima after the game:

"I think the public, in a sense, wants to say [Johjima] is the backup catcher,"

"I am the official backup," Johjima agreed through an interpriter. "I come to the ballpark every day prepared to play, to perform and to contribute. I am very happy to have contributed tonight."  (quotes thanks to MLB.com)

The Mariners again tonight, same time, same place, Danks vs. Fister, Fister in his first MLB start.

The box score, courtisy of MLB.com

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