Popups become adventures as Mariners beat White Sox 5-1

Apr 14, 2022, 2:58 AM | Updated: 3:51 pm
Chicago White Sox left fielder Andrew Vaughn (25) watches a solo home run hit by Seattle Mariners' ...

Chicago White Sox left fielder Andrew Vaughn (25) watches a solo home run hit by Seattle Mariners' Cal Raleigh as Raleigh rounds the bases during the seventh inning of a baseball game Thursday, April 14, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

(AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - APRIL 14: Mitch Haniger #17 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates in the dugout with teammates after his two-run home run in the eighth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Guaranteed Rate Field on April 14, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - APRIL 14: Starting pitcher Logan Gilbert #36 of the Seattle Mariners delivers the ball in the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on April 14, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) 
              Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh drops an infield popup hit by Chicago White Sox's Adam Engel for a fielding error while advancing Engel safely to second base during the fifth inning of a baseball game Thursday, April 14, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
            
              Seattle Mariners' Jarred Kelenic celebrates after hitting a two-run home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox Thursday, April 14, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
            
              Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodriguez reacts after striking out during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Thursday, April 14, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
            
              Chicago White Sox's Adam Engel (15) celebrates at the dugout after scoring on a Jake Burger single during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Thursday, April 14, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
            
              Seattle Mariners' Cal Raleigh right, celebrates at home plate after hitting a solo home run while Chicago White Sox catcher Reese McGuire left, looks on during the seventh inning of a baseball game Thursday, April 14, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
            
              Seattle Mariners' Cal Raleigh (29) watches his solo home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Thursday, April 14, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
            
              Seattle Mariners closing pitcher Paul Sewald celebrates after defeating the Chicago White Sox in a baseball game Thursday, April 14, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
            
              Seattle Mariners closing pitcher Paul Sewald right, celebrates with catcher Cal Raleigh left, after defeating the Chicago White Sox in a baseball game Thursday, April 14, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
            
              Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Matt Foster (63) is pulled by manager Tony La Russa center, while catcher Reese McGuire left, looks on during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Thursday, April 14, 2022, in Chicago. Seattle won 5-1. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
            
              Chicago White Sox left fielder Andrew Vaughn (25) watches a solo home run hit by Seattle Mariners' Cal Raleigh as Raleigh rounds the bases during the seventh inning of a baseball game Thursday, April 14, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

CHICAGO (AP) — Jared Kelenic hit a two-run homer off the right-field foul pole in the second inning, and the Seattle Mariners stopped a four-game losing streak with a 5-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox on a windy Thursday when popups became adventures.

“It was like we were playing in a tornado,” Kelenic said.

Chicago scored in the fifth after Adam Engel’s two-out popup was blown from the middle of the infield into foul territory behind third base and dropped. Engel then reached second when his popup to the first-base side came back and kicked off the mitt of catcher Cal Raleigh in front of the plate for an error.

Jake Burger followed with a popup over the mound that drifted to the left side and fell for an RBI single, bouncing off the arms of shortstop J.P. Crawford, who tried for a basket catch with his back to the plate on the infield dirt.

“You see the ball change five different directions when it’s in the air, it’s tough to determine where it’s going to come down,” Burger said.

Logan Gilbert (1-0) allowed an unearned run and four hits in five innings, and four pitchers followed with an inning each of hitless relief.

Andrés Muñoz struck out the side on 14 pitches in the sixth, reaching 102.8 and 102.5 mph, Seattle’s fastest pitches since Statcast began tracking in 2015.

Drew Steckenrider worked around a walk in the seventh, Diego Castillo pitched a perfect eighth and Paul Sewald threw a 1-2-3 ninth.

Chicago didn’t get a hit after Tim Anderson’s two-out single in the fifth.

Cal Raleigh homered off Bennett Sousa in the seventh and Mitch Haniger hit another home run against José Ruiz in the eighth, both taking advantage of 30 mph wind blowing out to left field.

Jimmy Lambert (0-1) gave up two runs and two hits in three innings of his season debut. He walked Eugenio Suárez on four pitches before Kelenic’s blast off the right-field post.

“The four-pitch walk before that was the killer,” Lambert said. “Leadoff walks and two-out walks, they’ll always come back to bite you. It’s basic baseball. Never fails.”

Kelenic’s home run on a 114 mph drive was his first this season.

Raleigh’s homer was his second hit in eight at-bats this season. The catcher added that he was looking forward to Friday’s home-opener against the Houston Astros back in Seattle.

“Me, Logan Gilbert and (pitcher) Matt Brash all have an apartment, and we’re looking forward to it and seeing all the fans,” Raleigh said.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Mariners: 2B Adam Frazier returned to the Mariners’ starting lineup after Abraham Toro rotated in for Wednesday’s 6-4 defeat. Manager Scott Servais also rotated Haniger into the DH spot, moving catcher Luis Torrens to the bench from DH.

White Sox: LF Eloy Jiménez didn’t play after leaving Wednesday’s game in the fifth inning with a bruised left ankle. “It was hurting a little bit, but all the treatment, this morning I’m feeling fine,” Jiménez said. “Today is just for precaution. After that, it’s all good.” La Russa said INF Josh Harrison has some soreness in his back, but could be back sometime this weekend.

UP NEXT

Mariners: RHP Chris Flexen (0-1, 6.23 ERA) was expected to start Seattle’s home opener against the Houston Astros on Friday.

White Sox: RHP Dylan Cease (1-0, 1.80 ERA) gets the start when Chicago hosts the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday.

___

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Popups become adventures as Mariners beat White Sox 5-1