Guardado victimized, Twins complete sweep

MINNEAPOLIS – Lew Ford led off the 10th inning with a game-winning home run off former teammate Eddie Guardado, lifting the Minnesota Twins over the Seattle Mariners 4-3 Sunday.

The homer, a 414-foot drive to right-center, was Ford’s second of the season and first since April 21. It came on a 1-2 pitch from Guardado (0-3), who played for the Twins for 11 seasons before signing with the Mariners in 2003.

Justin Morneau added a two-run homer for Minnesota, which completed a three-game sweep.

Jose Lopez hit a two-run homer, but made a costly mistake for the Mariners, who have lost five straight games. Ichiro Suzuki went 4 for 5 for his second four-hit game of the season.

Minnesota’s Joe Nathan (3-0) got out of a jam in the 10th to earn the victory.

The Mariners squandered several late-inning chances to go ahead.

In the 10th, Nathan allowed back-to-back singles to Suzuki and Lopez to start the inning.

Nathan was then helped by two outstanding plays in the outfield. Right fielder Michael Cuddyer made a nice catch on a drive by Raul Ibanez, and Suzuki failed to tag and advance to third because he was too far off second. Center fielder Torii Hunter then leaped against the center-field fence to snag a drive by Richie Sexson. Nathan retired Adrian Beltre on a fly to center to end the threat.

M’s starter Joel Pineiro gave up three runs in 62/3 innings.