Lowly Padres sweep M's

SEATTLE (AP) - Edinson Volquez pitched effectively into the seventh inning and the San Diego Padres beat the skidding Seattle Mariners 6-2 Thursday night for their first series sweep of the season.

Volquez (3-6) was in command all night, allowing one run and four hits in 6 2/3 innings. He struck out six and walked four while sending Seattle to its fifth consecutive loss.

Converted reliever Erasmo Ramirez (0-1) took the loss in his first start for the Mariners. He threw five innings, allowing eight hits and six runs - five earned. He struck out three and walked one.

In an interleague matchup of last-place teams, Padres starters yielded only two earned runs in three games at Seattle.

San Francisco visits Seattle for three games beginning tonight. Tim Lincecum, the former Washington Husky, is scheduled to make his first Safeco Field start on Saturday. Lincecum lives in Seattle in the offseason.