Pineiro, Mariners blank KC ? Joel Pineiro started July with the same dominance he showed in June, allowing two hits in eight innings for his fifth straight win as the Seattle Mariners defeated the Kansas City Royals 3-0 Wednesday night.

Pineiro (9-3), a 23-year-old right-hander, walked three and struck out five. He did not allow a hit after the second inning and retired 12 straight during one stretch.

Kazuhiro Sasaki, who gave up four runs in his previous two outings, finished the two-hitter for his 19th save in 23 opportunities.

Mike Cameron had three hits for the Mariners.

The Puerto Rican-born Pineiro had dreams of being a major league shortstop until his senior year in high school when scouts told him he had a better shot of making it as a pitcher.

He was 4-1 last month with a 3.07 ERA and pitched his second career complete game Friday to beat Colorado. He has allowed just eight runs in his past six starts to lower his ERA to 2.70.

Miguel Asencio (1-2), making his seventh career start, allowed one run, four hits and three walks in five innings.

Asencio was coming off his worst start of the season in which he lasted just two-thirds of an inning in a 14-10 win over San Diego last Friday. He gave up five runs and five hits in the short outing.