Griffey Hits No. 19 in 8-7 Mariner Loss

SEATTLE — Rafael Palmeiro hit a two-out, two-run single in the ninth inning and the Baltimore Orioles defeated the Seattle Mariners, 8-7, on Sunday for their first three-game sweep at the Kingdome since 1989.

Ken Griffey Jr. hit his 19th home run, most in the majors, but the Mariners still lost their season-high fourth in a row. Edgar Martinez grounded out against Armando Benitez with runners on first and second to end it.

Norm Charlton (2-3), who lost a lead in the ninth inning Thursday night against Chicago, blew his fourth save chance of the season.

Eric Davis led off the Oriole ninth with an infield single, Cal Ripken singled with one out and B.J. Surhoff walked to load the bases. After Jeffrey Hammonds struck out, Palmeiro singled to center field and Ripken beat Griffey’s throw for the go-ahead run.

Alex Rodriguez homered, tripled and singled for the Mariners and Paul Sorrento also homered.

Griffey’s two-run homer in the fifth put Seattle ahead, 6-4. The 442-foot shot, his first home run off Mike Mussina, ended up in the Kingdome’s third deck in right field. Griffey has 50 RBIs after 41 games.

Randy Johnson, whose 16-game winning streak was stopped earlier this month by Mussina and the Orioles, walked a season-high eight in five innings.

NEXT SERIES FOR ANGELS

WHO: Seattle Mariners

WHERE: Anaheim Stadium

WHEN:

Today 7 p.m.

Tuesday 7 p.m.

Wednesday 7:30 p.m.