AMERICAN LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Streaky Mariners Rout Unenthusiastic Orioles

Having ended their most recent slide, the streaky Seattle Mariners are eager to extend their newest string.

Not that one victory in a row is cause for celebration. But the way Seattle is playing this year, it could be the start of something big.

The Mariners ended a five-game losing streak Monday night at Baltimore, getting 15 hits and routing the slumping Orioles, 10-1.

Every starter got at least one hit for the Mariners, who opened the season with a six-game losing streak, then won eight in a row before losing five in a row.

“It’s a funny thing. Lose six, win eight, lose five,� Manager Jim Lefebvre said. “Obviously, we’re hoping this doesn’t happen too often. We’d like to be a little more consistent.�

The Orioles, on the other hand, have been consistently bad. Baltimore has lost eight of 11 and is 4-9 since its only winning streak--two games.

“The most disturbing thing is how inconsistent we’ve been,� Manager Frank Robinson said. “We probably played with less intensity and enthusiasm tonight than any game this year.�

Rich DeLucia (2-2) gave up seven hits in 7 2/3 innings, struck out three and walked three. Seattle made four double plays, three behind DeLucia.

“When people got on, he somehow got the double play,� Lefebvre said. “That was the key.�

Sam Horn hit a home run for the Orioles, whose starters have a 7.45 earned-run average in the first four games of the current home stand.

Dave Johnson (1-3) took the loss, giving up six runs and nine hits in four innings.

Seattle’s Edgar Martinez had two singles to extend his hitting streak to 14 games and increase his average to .422, the best in the majors.

Detroit 3, Kansas City 1--Emergency starter Steve Searcy combined with Paul Gibson to shut down the Royals, and Alan Trammell had two run-scoring singles at Kansas City.

Searcy (1-1), who failed to get out of the second inning in his previous start, pitched 5 1/3 innings in place of Dan Petry, who was scratched with lower back pain.

Gibson relieved Searcy with one out and two on in the sixth, loaded the bases with an intentional walk and then threw called third strikes past Kurt Stillwell and Gary Thurman. Gibson finished with two-hit relief for his first save.

Bret Saberhagen (1-3), winless since opening day, has had only one run scored for him in his past three starts.