For the second series in a row, the Oakland A’s salvaged the last game of their series to avoid the sweep by their opponent. After losing two of three to the Red Sox in Fenway, the Athletics traveled back to Oakland to take on a divisional rival, the Seattle Mariners. The Mariner took three of four to close the gap in the AL West.

The Athletics are struggling on both sides of the diamond, having lost five of their last seven games. With a 20-15 record, the Athletics lead in the AL West has shrunk over the past week with the Mariners 2 games behind at 17-16, the Texas Rangers 2.5 games behind, and the LA Angels 3 games behind.

Here is a brief recap of the four game series against the Mariners, which included a day-night doubleheader on Wednesday.

Game 1 final score: Mariners 4, Athletics 2

Scott Kazmir took his first loss of the season giving up 4 ER’s in 6 IP. The Mariners got to Kazmir for two runs in the top of the 1st inning. The Athletics looked lethargic on the field, having traveled from Boston the evening before and only mustered four hits. Their two runs came on a home run from Brandon Moss in the bottom of the 4th inning. SP Chris Young pitched six solid innings, while the M’s bullpen closed out the game allowing only one hit in their three innings of work.

Game 2 final score: Mariners 8, Athletics 3

Once again the Mariners jumped on the Athletics early, scoring three times in the top of the 1st inning against Jesse Chavez. With the A’s down 4-3 in the top of the 9th inning, RP Jim Johnson came on to get his team to the bottom of the inning to try and win the game. However, once again Johnson struggled with his command of the strike zone and committed a fielding error that led to the Mariners scoring four more runs in the inning and essentially killing off any chance for late game heroics from the A’s offense.

Game 3 final score: Mariners 6, Athletics 4

Felix Hernandez took to the mound against the A’s to kick-off Wednesday’s doubleheader. For the first time in his three starts against the club, the A’s offense was able to get the bat on the ball, knocking Hernandez out of the game after 6.1 IP. Athletics SP Dan Straily struggled again, giving up two home runs to the Mariners - making that a total of 9 HR’s Straily has given up so far this season, which ties him for the most in MLB.

The Athletics bullpen couldn’t hold onto the lead, as Luke Gregerson allowed an inherited runner to score to tie up the game, which eventually led to extra innings. In the 10th inning, Ryan Cook came on and struggled. After putting runners on base, Cook called to the dugout for a replacement. Dan Otero came in and promptly gave up two runs to give the Mariners the lead and the win.

After the game Cook said that the injury wasn’t serious. Having lost two SP’s already this season to Tommy John surgery, A’s fans will be keeping a close eye on Ryan Cook’s diagnosis. That wasn’t the only loss for the A’s in Wednesday’s first game, as Coco Crisp left the game in the 4th inning with a strained neck after crashing into the wall to make a catch.

Game 4 final score: Athletics 2, Mariners 0

Bob Melvin handed the game ball to Drew Pomeranz to start the second game on Wednesday and he responded with a brilliant performance, giving up only two hits in five IP, striking out five and not allowing a walk. Dan Otero pitched three innings of scoreless relief and Jim Johnson came on to close the game in the 9th. That type of performance is exactly what the A’s have been looking for all year from the bullpen.

The Athletics offense came from a Yoenis Cespedes home run in the 3rd inning and an RBI single from Jed Lowrie in the 4th. Uncommon to see, Craig Gentry scored from first base on Lowrie’s single, making for some dramatics early on in the game.

What's Next?

The A’s are off on Thursday before hosting the Washington Nationals Friday through Sunday at the Coliseum. Tommy Milone will return to the mound Friday night, followed by Sonny Gray and Scott Kazmir to close out the weekend. Sunday’s pitching matchup is a Mother’s Day must-see as Kazmir will face ex-Athletic Gio Gonzalez.


 

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About the author
John Flesta
Displaced Oakland A's, Seattle Seahawks, and Minnesota Timberwolves fan in New Jersey.