Mariners' ship is sinking

McLaren rips team after loss to Angels

The Yankees' Mike Mussina breezed to his ninth victory, tying him for the American League lead. (KATHY WILLENS/ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Finally, after plummeting to a place from which no team has made the postseason, the Seattle Mariners' decision-makers ripped into their club.

Team president Chuck Armstrong berated members of the coaching staff yesterday morning, hours before host Seattle lost to Los Angeles, 5-4, to get swept in a three-game series.

Seattle is season-low 18 games under .500 and 15 1/2 games out of first place with the worst record in the majors.

"What's said between me and the coaches stays between me and the coaches," Armstrong said through a team spokesman.

About an hour after Armstrong's rage, manager John McLaren had a closed-door chat with general manager Bill Bavasi. After the game - and another loss - McLaren tore into his players.

Shouting and jabbing his finger toward the clubhouse, McLaren unleashed an expletive-filled tirade, emphasizing his team is trying hard but not performing as it should.

McLaren then stomped off into his office and closed the door.

"He could have said that a month ago," Bavasi said later.

Torii Hunter's two-run single in a big first inning gave Los Angeles the lead out of the gate, and Jered Weaver and three relievers preserved Los Angeles's victory.

Weaver (5-6) allowed 10 hits for the fifth time in 13 starts this season - but won for the third time in four starts.

Yankees 5, Blue Jays 1 - Mike Mussina tied for the American League lead in wins, Derek Jeter (2,416) passed Mickey Mantle on the franchise career hits list, and host New York beat Toronto.

Wilson Betemit homered off Jesse Litsch (7-2) as the Yankees snapped a three-game skid by handing Toronto only its seventh loss in 22 games.

Mussina (9-4) pitched six strong innings to match Angels lefthander Joe Saunders for the league lead in victories.

Reds 2, Phillies 0 - Joey Votto's two-out RBI double in the seventh inning spoiled Brett Myers's bid for a no-hitter, and Cincinnati won at Philadelphia behind another impressive start by Edinson Volquez.

Ken Griffey Jr., who is one home run shy of 600, wasn't in the Reds' lineup for the third consecutive game because of general soreness, including a sore left knee. For the second straight game, he walked as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning.

Volquez (8-2) allowed two hits, struck out eight, walked two, and hit two batters in seven innings, lowering his ERA to a major league-best 1.32.

Indians 15, Rangers 9 - Ryan Garko drove in a career-high six runs, David Dellucci hit a three-run homer, and Cleveland walloped host Texas.

Dellucci extended Cleveland's lead to 11-6 in the sixth inning against Elizardo Ramirez (0-1) with his sixth homer. It came one batter after Garko's two-run single had put the Indians in front.

Garko, who had four hits, had another two-run single in the four-run seventh.

Ben Francisco had a career-high five hits, and Grady Sizemore homered for Cleveland

Marlins 6, Braves 4 - Hanley Ramirez hit two homers, including a two-run shot in a four-run ninth inning, to lead visiting Florida.

Mike Rabelo hit a tying two-run homer in the ninth as Manny Acosta blew a 4-2 lead. Acosta (3-3) recorded only one out while giving up four runs.

Padres 2, Cubs 1 - Kevin Kouzmanoff hit a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning and Greg Maddux and two relievers combined on a three-hitter as host San Diego ended Chicago's nine-game winning streak.

Brewers 10, Diamondbacks 1 - Corey Hart hit a three-run, inside-the-park homer, and Russell Branyan followed with a conventional shot to lift surging Milwaukee over visiting Arizona for its sixth straight win.

Mets 5, Giants 3 - Jose Reyes hit a leadoff double, then homered and singled to help John Maine (6-4) and New York win at San Francisco. Reyes scored twice and Carlos Beltran added a two-run double as the Mets won for the seventh time in nine games.

Rockies 2, Dodgers 1 - Aaron Cook pitched eight sharp innings and Jeff Baker drove in both runs for visiting Colorado with his first home run of the season. Cook (8-3) allowed a run and six hits, struck out six, and walked one.

White Sox 6, Royals 4 - Paul Konerko hit a two-run homer in the 15th inning, sending host Chicago to a victory over Kansas City.

Athletics 10, Tigers 2 - Justin Duchscherer (5-4) allowed three hits over 6 2/3 innings and host Oakland completed a three-game sweep.

Pirates 5, Astros 2 - Zach Duke (3-4) allowed two runs over 7 2/3 innings and Raul Chavez drove in three runs to lead host Pittsburgh over Houston.

Twins 7, Orioles 5 - Joe Mauer homered and drove in three runs, helping host Minnesota earn a win over Baltimore.

Last night's game between the St. Louis Cardinals and Washington Nationals was rained out and will be made up as part of a day-night doubleheader today.