Ruiz Spoils Homecoming For Phillies Fans, Propels M’s to Series Sweep

The man they called "Chooch" for 11 seasons during his playing days in Philadelphia, Carlos Ruiz led an 11-run, 16-hit attack for the Seattle Mariners today in a sweep of a truncated two-game series against the Phillies by a final score of 11-6.

Ruiz, who received an extended ovation from the fans at Citizens Bank Park upon his first at-bat, hit a sharp, bases-clearing double to center in the seventh inning to deliver the big blow in what was a five-run outburst untying a 3-3 game late. The Mariners backstop wound up 1-4 with four RBI and two strikeouts on the day.

Robinson Cano`, who left last night's game early due to injury, bounced back quickly to go four-for-five and raise his batting average to .296.

Seattle reached the .500 mark for the first time this season after stumbling out of the chute at 2-8. The Mariners head north of the border to open a four-game tilt with the struggling Toronto Blue Jays tomorrow afternoon at 4:07.