White Sox inflict pain on M's, Hernandez

CHICAGO — At least the Mariners aren't showing any favoritism on this rapidly disintegrating road trip.

After getting swept by the Twins in Minneapolis, they are now one game away from suffering the same fate against Minnesota's archrival in the AL Central, the White Sox.

Not even a supposed pitching mismatch — the Mariners' putative ace Felix Hernandez against a kid making his fourth major-league start, with a 9.64 career earned-run-average — could swing the results in Seattle's favor.

The Sox, behind Clayton Richard — yes, the Clayton Richard — won Tuesday with ease, 5-0, at U.S. Cellular Field. It was a game that highlighted Hernandez's mounting frustration.

Despite a skill-set that virtually all agree is among the best in the game, Hernandez has just seven victories to show for 2008 (after getting saddled with his eighth loss Tuesday).

"It was supposed to be a great season for us," sighed Hernandez. "Everything has gone wrong. If we hit good, the pitching isn't good. We need to stay together, work hard, and try to win some games."

This outing was hardly Hernandez's finest moment. He gave up 11 hits and five runs in five innings, including Jim Thome's 533rd career homer and the second in two nights for Nick Swisher.

Ominously, he failed to strike out a hitter for just the second time in his career. That last stat deserves an asterisk — Hernandez's other game without a whiff came in April last year against the Twins, when he lasted just one-third of an inning before suffering an elbow injury that landed him on the disabled list. So this was essentially his first start without a strikeout.

"That's a tough lineup," Hernandez said. "I thought I threw some good pitches. I'd make a great pitch on the hands, base hit. Right on the corner, base hit."

At least the Mariners apparently escaped an injury to Hernandez, who was hit squarely on his left ankle with a line drive by Juan Uribe in the fourth inning. Hernandez hobbled in pain, but stayed in the game after being examined by trainer Rick Griffin.

"Not good," he said. "It hit me in the wrong spot. But it's fine."

Hernandez's low win total is hardly indicative of how he has pitched this year. In nine no-decisions, he has a 2.30 ERA.

The Mariners left 11 on base, six in scoring position.

Raul Ibanez had two more hits, including a double. He is hitting .556 (17 for 30 with six doubles) on this road trip.

Cora's in the mix

Joey Cora, who became one of the most popular Mariners during three-plus seasons in Seattle, is gaining increasing mention as a managerial candidate.

His name has already been, and will continue to be, linked to the Mariners' job.

Cora, 42, is in his fifth season as a White Sox coach under close friend Ozzie Guillen. He was Guillen's third-base coach for the first three years — which included a World Series title in 2005 — and is currently in his second season as bench coach.

He has interviewed for vacancies with the Nationals and Pirates in recent years.

Is he ready for a big-league job?

"I don't think you'll know until you get it," Cora said Tuesday. "Am I interested in doing that? Sure. It's a goal of mine, no doubt about it."

Cora certainly has strong Mariners ties. He scored ahead of Ken Griffey Jr. on Edgar Martinez's famous double in the 1995 playoffs, and endeared himself to fans by crying in the dugout after the team was eliminated by Cleveland.

But Cora sidestepped a question about whether a Mariners' managerial opening would appeal to him.

"They have Jim [Riggleman] right now," he said. "I respect him. ... If it opens up and I get a chance to interview, that will happen. If it doesn't, I'm very pleased what I'm doing right now, being next to Ozzie, my best friend, and what's going on in Chicago."

Cora got an endorsement from Guillen — but not without a little teasing from his buddy.

"He's ready," Guillen said. "He knows the game. I think we'll see him manage soon."

But Guillen doesn't want to lose him, right?

"I don't want to lose Carlos Quentin; [forget] Joey," he quipped. "He can be replaced by anybody. Sitting next to me and talking ... ? That's what he does."

Notes

• Ken Griffey Jr. faced Seattle for the first time as an American Leaguer on Tuesday. He was 0 for 3, hitting into a double play, with a sacrifice fly in the second. He is hitting .209 in 13 games since joining the White Sox.

• Wei Wang, the catcher for the Chinese Olympic team injured in a collision with Team USA's Matt LaPorta on Monday, is a member of the Mariners' organization. Wang, 29, tore a ligament in his left knee and underwent arthroscopic surgery. He had Tommy John elbow surgery last year.

Larry Stone: 206-464-3146

For the record

Streak: L5

Home: 24-38

Road: 22-41

vs. AL West: 14-20

vs. L.A.: 4-7

vs. Oakland: 4-5

vs. Texas: 6-8

vs. AL East: 13-28

vs. AL Cent.: 10-22

vs. NL: 9-9

vs. LHP: 12-25

vs. RHP: 34-54

Day: 13-27

Night: 33-52

One-run: 13-24

Extra inn.: 3-7