Cameron Does His Part for Seattle

HOUSTON — Mike Cameron found a good way to end a trip.

Entering the game with two hits in his last 22 at-bats, Cameron drove in four runs with the 100th home run of his career and a three-run double to lead Joel Pineiro and the Seattle Mariners over the Houston Astros, 10-5, Sunday.

Pineiro (7-3) pitched seven strong innings to win his third consecutive decision, and the Mariners got 15 hits to win two of three in the first series between the teams.

“I’m glad to get that 100 out of the way,” Cameron said. “Now I can move on and point in another direction. Maybe I can keep going to the next 100 or 200.”

The Mariners ended their trip with a 6-3 record that included a three-game sweep of the Cincinnati Reds.

John Olerud had four hits and two runs batted in and Jeff Cirillo also hit his 100th homer--a two-run shot in the fifth inning.

“Olerud has been hitting the ball very good,” Mariner Manager Lou Piniella said. “He’s been really consistent, especially on this road trip.”

Olerud completed the trip with a .433 average (13 for 30) and seven RBIs.

Cameron gave the Mariners a 6-1 lead in the third inning with a bases-loaded double off rookie Kirk Saarloos (0-2) and added a solo homer, his 12th, in the sixth off Pedro Borbon.

Pineiro held Houston to one run until Orlando Merced hit a two-run homer in the seventh. The right-hander yielded three runs and eight hits. Saarloos, the former Cal State Fullerton star, made his second major league start, and the Mariners jumped on him with two runs in the first inning.

“The first guy got on in every inning,” Saarloos said. “It’s tough to pitch with guys on base. I live and die on ground balls, with guys on base and getting double plays.”

Saarloos made his big league debut in a loss to Milwaukee Tuesday night. He lasted only two-plus innings against the Mariners, giving up six runs and 10 hits.