White Sox 5, Mariners 1: Ace tops ace

On the day Jake Peavy decided to head back to the disabled list, Phil Humber continued to make it a non-issue. Hell, even Felix Hernandez was no match for him.

Humber matched a career high with 7 2/3 innings, and continued the White Sox's string of fine pitching performances against the Seattle Mariners. And much like in his last start against Boston, he had a comfortable lead to work with.

Paul Konerko jumped on a first-pitch Hernandez fastball in the second for a quick 1-0 lead, and one inning later, it was another noted power threat dealing the biggest blow.

The Sox had been on the cusp of botching a scoring opportunity. Gordon Beckham walked and Brent Morel singled him to third on a perfect hit-and-run. Up came Juan Pierre, and he was unsuccessful in getting the ball past the pinched infield. Justin Smoak threw out Beckham at home, and suddenly the Sox's scoring threat seemed far less threatening.

Omar Vizquel wouldn't let them off the hook. Just as Hawk Harrelson was deflating, Vizquel turned on a 2-2 two-seamer that split the plate and roped it into the right field corner. Two runs came around to score on Vizquel's triple, and one batter later, Carlos Quentin hooked one off the foul pole in left for a 5-0 lead.

That would be plenty for Humber, who was uncharacteristically wild (three whole walks!) with no consequences. He faced the most trouble in the first inning, when he gave up a one-out double to Luis Rodriguez, and a wild pitch moved him to third. Humber responded by striking out Justin Smoak, and Jack Cust was a little bit jammed on a liner to second to end the threat.

He was touched up for a run in the fourth, but with a 5-0 lead, runners on the corners with one out didn't seem nearly as ominous. He limited the damage to a sac fly. Humber held Seattle hitless in five at-bats with runners in scoring position.

Record: 30-33 | Box score | Play-by-play