Mariners Take Opener Over Athletics, Tied For Wild-Card

The Seattle Mariners took game one of a critical three-game series against the Oakland Athletics at Safeco Field Friday 4-2. James Paxton pitched six strong innings allowing just two runs (one earned) as he benefited from the Mariners home run derby off the Athletics staff.

Robinson Cano homered in the first to get the M’s out in front. early. When Oakland tied it in the 4th at 2-2, Logan Morrison homered in the 5th to put the M’s back in front 3-2. Kendrys Morales added an insurance home run in the 6th.

Fernando Rodney closed it out for his franchise record-tying 45th save of the season.

The Mariners moved into a tie with Kansas City for the 2nd AL Wild-Card spot. They are also now just a half game back of Oakland for the first wild-card spot.

The American League West seems all but wrapped up for the surging Angels now, but being in the first wild-card position is something the Mariners should desperately want. It would ensure that Felix Hernandez, pitches the one-game wild-card game, at home.

Speaking of Felix, he takes the mound tonight opposite Sonny Gray with that top wild-card spot on the line.

BOX SCORE

Batting

Oakland


	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	K	SB	LOB	AVG
Coco CrispCF	4	0	0	0	1	1	0	3	.254
Jonny GómesLF	3	0	1	0	0	1	0	2	.239
Josh ReddickPH-RF	2	0	0	0	0	2	0	2	.245
Josh Donaldson3B	5	0	1	1	0	2	0	3	.255
Derek NorrisDH-C	3	0	0	0	1	1	0	2	.271
Jed LowrieSS	4	0	0	0	0	3	0	4	.247
Nate Freiman1B	3	1	1	0	0	1	0	0	.218
Alberto CallaspoPH-1B	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	.228
Geovany SotoC	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.211
Jason HammelP	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Billy BurnsPH	1	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	.167
Eric O’FlahertyP	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Dan OteroP	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Adam DunnPH	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	.224
Evan ScribnerP	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Fernando AbadP	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Nick Punto2B	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	.203
Brandon MossPH	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	.239
Sam FuldRF-LF	3	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	.248
Totals	35	2	6	2	4	12	2	20

Batting

RBI – J Donaldson (94), S Fuld (31)

2-out RBI – J Donaldson

Runners left in scoring position, 2 out – C Crisp 1, J Donaldson 1, J Lowrie 3, S Fuld 1

Team LOB – 10

Running

SB – B Burns (2, 2nd base off J Paxton/M Zunino), S Fuld (20, 2nd base off J Paxton/M Zunino)

Fielding

E – G Soto (2, throw)

DP – 1 (J Lowrie-N Punto-N Freiman)

Seattle


	AB	R	H	RBI	HR	BB	K	SB	LOB	AVG
Austin JacksonCF	4	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	1	.265
Dustin AckleyLF	3	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	.249
James JonesLF	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.250
Chris DenorfiaPH-LF	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.203
Robinson Canó2B	4	1	2	1	1	0	0	0	0	.323
Kendrys MoralesDH	3	1	1	1	1	0	0	0	0	.225
Kyle Seager3B	2	1	0	0	0	1	1	1	0	.274
Michael SaundersRF	3	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	1	.271
Mike ZuninoC	3	0	1	1	0	0	1	0	0	.197
Logan Morrison1B	3	1	2	1	1	0	0	0	1	.241
Stefen RomeroPR	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.195
Justin Smoak1B	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.203
Brad MillerSS	3	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	2	.217
Totals	29	4	7	4	3	1	8	1	5

Batting

2B – M Zunino (18, J Hammel); L Morrison (15, D Otero)

HR – R Cano (13, 1st inning off J Hammel 0 on, 2 Out), K Morales (7, 6th inning off E O’Flaherty 0 on, 2 Out), L Morrison (8, 5th inning off J Hammel 0 on, 1 Out)

RBI – R Cano (76), K Morales (41), M Zunino (52), L Morrison (30)

2-out RBI – R Cano, K Morales

Runners left in scoring position, 2 out – B Miller 2

GIDP – A Jackson

Team LOB – 2

Running

SB – K Seager (7, 3rd base off J Hammel/G Soto)

CS – R Cano (3, 2nd base by E O’Flaherty/D Norris)

Fielding

E – K Seager (9, throw); B Miller (18, field)

Pitching

Oakland


	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	HR	WHIP	ERA
Jason Hammel(L, 2-6)	5.0	4	3	3	1	6	2	1.35	4.76
Eric O’Flaherty	1.0	2	1	1	0	1	1	0.98	2.45
Dan Otero	1.0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1.08	2.02
Evan Scribner	0.1	0	0	0	0	1	0	0.58	3.12
Fernando Abad	0.2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.82	1.51

Seattle


	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	WHIP	ERA
James Paxton(W, 6-2)	6.0	4	2	1	3	8	1.08	1.83
Carson Smith(HLD, 1)	1.2	0	0	0	1	2	0.64	0.00
Charlie Furbush(HLD, 18)	0.1	0	0	0	0	0	1.16	3.63
Fernando Rodney(SV, 45)	1.0	2	0	0	0	2	1.30	2.49

WP – J Paxton

Pitches-strikes – J Hammel 78-50; E O’Flaherty 13-9; D Otero 10-6; E Scribner 7-5; F Abad 9-5; J Paxton 102-57; C Smith 28-15; C Furbush 3-2; F Rodney 15-11

Ground balls-fly balls – J Hammel 4-5; E O’Flaherty 1-2; D Otero 2-1; E Scribner 0-0; F Abad 1-0; J Paxton 6-4; C Smith 3-0; C Furbush 0-1; F Rodney 1-1

Batters faced – J Hammel 19; E O’Flaherty 4; D Otero 4; E Scribner 1; F Abad 2; J Paxton 27; C Smith 6; C Furbush 1; F Rodney 5

Game Details

Game Time: 2:44.

Umpires: HP–David Rackley. 1B–Mike Muchlinski. 2B–Jim Wolf. 3B–Brian Gorman.

Weather: 70 degrees, Clear.

Wind: 2 mph, Out to Center.

Attendance: 29,090.

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