For one game, the Mariners put it all together. Riding another great performance from a starting pitcher, the offense eventually clicked, scoring in three-of-the-final-four innings on the way to a 6-1 victory over the Athletics today in Oakland.
It was the only victory for the Mariners in their three-game series with Oakland and brings their overall record to 22-26, two games out of the basement in the AL West.
Starter Erik Bedard was told before the game by manager Don Wakamatsu that he'd be the team's horse today, and Bedard came through pitching 6.2 innings with one run and five strikeouts.
To continue...
After both teams traded runs in the second, the Mariners went on top in the sixth when first baseman Russell Branyan launched a two-run shot into the right field seats. It increased his team-high RBI total to 23.
The Mariners added to their lead with a Yuniesky Betancourt sacrifice fly in the seventh and a Franklin Gutierrez two-run double in the ninth.
Closer David Aardsma earned his seventh save of the season by getting out all three batters he faced in the ninth. Reliever Sean White went scoreless in 1.1 innings. Both have been amongst Seattle's most consistent relievers, each boasting a sub-2.00 ERA after the game.
Outfielder Ichiro Suzuki finished the game batting 3-for-4, extending his consecutive hits streak to 21 games. Still, he didn't drive in any runs or score any, and he grounded out with runners on second and third in the fifth.
Outfielder Endy Chavez had one of his more productive games going 2-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored and one RBI.
Branyan, who continues to bat fifth in the lineup, went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBIs. He leads the team in home runs and RBIs, and his .311 batting average is second on the team to Suzuki.
The Mariners get tomorrow off before continuing play against the AL West with a three-game series against the Angels from May 29-31 in Anaheim.
Reach Jeff Richards at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
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