A’s snap Mariners’ 2-game win streak, beat Seattle 6-2

OAKLAND, Calif. — Joe Saunders couldn’t find a good grip on the ball and lasted just four innings in his first start with Seattle.

It could have been worse, the way Mariners manager Eric Wedge saw it.

Saunders gave up seven hits, including five doubles, and Seattle managed just two runners over the final seven innings of a 6-2 loss to the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday night.

“It felt like the balls had some funny stuff on them,” said Saunders, who walked four and struck out three. “It just felt like some of them were just taking off. My arm felt good. It was just tough to grip the ball.”

Seattle took a 2-0 lead before Saunders (0-1) ran his pitch count up in the third when he yielded a leadoff double to Coco Crisp, then walked Jed Lowrie and Chris Young. Yoenis Cespedes drove in Crisp with a sacrifice fly to center, but Saunders limited the damage from there.

The A’s went up 4-2 in the fourth on Lowrie’s double to left-center after Josh Reddick doubled and Crisp reached on a fielder’s choice.

That ended Saunders’ night, though Wedge didn’t seem too concerned about his veteran left-hander.

“When he came out he was looking strong,” Wedge said. “He controlled damage about as well as he can, considering everything. He was just never able to lock it in. We got to see the bulldog in him. We saw the fact that he would bend but not break.”

Franklin Gutierrez and Michael Morse homered in the first, but A’s starter Tommy Milone settled down and retired 17 of his final 18 batters while pitching seven innings.

It was the third homer in two games for Morse, a key offseason acquisition for the Mariners.

Lowrie and Young hit back-to-back home runs in the seventh inning, while Nate Freiman had two hits and an RBI in his major league debut as Oakland knocked around Saunders and two relievers after managing just one run and six hits in the first two games of the series.

“Jed’s been swinging the bat well, and it’s nice to get Chris going too and get him on board,” Oakland manager Bob Melvin said. “When you’re on a new team like both those guys are you want to impress early on. All the way around it was a good game for us today.”

Lowrie, acquired in a trade from Houston just before the start of spring training, went 3 for 3 with a walk and three RBIs. His tiebreaking two-run double off Saunders in the fourth put the A’s ahead for good.

Oakland had seven extra-base hits overall: five doubles and two home runs. Eight A’s had at least one hit while four drove in at least one run.

Milone (1-0) allowed only one baserunner after the second inning, finishing with one walk and four strikeouts. Sean Doolittle pitched the eighth and Chris Resop worked the ninth to complete the five-hitter.

Gutierrez got the Mariners off to a nice start when he hit the fourth pitch from Milone over the wall in left for his second career leadoff homer. Morse, who led the majors with nine home runs in spring training, tacked on a two-out drive to center.

Freiman’s first career hit got Oakland on the board in the second. But the rookie first baseman was thrown out at the plate trying to score on Scott Sizemore’s double to left.

Freiman later singled in the fourth then made a sliding catch in front of the photographer’s well near Seattle’s dugout in the fifth.

Lowrie and Young added consecutive home runs off Kameron Lowe in the seventh.

Milone, tied for the team lead in wins as a rookie last season, and two relievers did the rest.

Milone gave up a leadoff single to Jesus Montero in the second, then walked Jason Bay before getting Robert Andino to hit into a double play. Seattle didn’t get a runner past first base the rest of the game.

NOTES: Seattle has not started a season 3-0 since 1995. … RHP Brendan Maurer will make his major league debut for Seattle on Thursday. He’ll oppose Oakland RHP A.J. Griffin, who went 2-0 with a 1.64 ERA in two starts against Seattle in 2012.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Left to right, Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones, Glacier Peak’s Jo Lee, Everett’s Isaiah White, Arlington’s Leyton Martin, Jackson’s Ryan McFerran, and Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel pose for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area boys basketball teams

A look at the top prep boys basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Arlington’s Leyton Martin (2) poses for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Leyton Martin

Arlington’s do-it-all junior point guard led the Eagles to a district title and second straight Hardwood Classic.

Everett junior Shukurani Ndayiraglje fails to clear a 6-foot 6-inch jump in the 3A boys high jump before claiming second place during the WIAA State Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 27, 2023, at Mount Tahoma High School in Tacoma, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Prep track: 5 things to watch during the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines in girls and boys track and field this season.

X
Prep roundup for Friday, March 29

Prep roundup for Friday, March 29: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Prep golf preview: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines for this high school boys and girls golf season.

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.