Kazmir dominates, A’s blank Mariners 4-0

  • Associated Press
  • Thursday, July 2, 2015 9:53pm
  • Sports

OAKLAND, Calif. — This was another one of those games Thursday night for the Seattle Mariners that, if viewed in isolation, might not seem so bad.

Veteran Oakland lefty Scott Kazmir is among the American League leaders in earned-run average. So mustering little offense in a 4-0 loss …OK, it happens.

Except it’s difficult to view a quiet night against Kazmir in isolation. This is the 48th time in 79 games the Mariners failed to score four runs. Note, too, the American League average was 4.22 prior to Thursday’s games.

This was also their sixth shutout loss in the past four weeks.

So it’s not always Kazmir who was, yes, in top form. He permitted just two hits, both by Franklin Gutierrez, in eight innings, which merely evened his record at 5-5 despite lowering his ERA to 2.56.

“Listen, I thought we were coming out of it,” manager Lloyd McClendon said. “And I still believe we’re coming out of it. We ran into a tough pitcher tonight. He’s a veteran guy who knows what he’s doing.”

With Kazmir at 105 pitches, the Athletics closed out their victory with Edward Mujica in the ninth inning.

The Mariners didn’t get a base runner until Gutierrez’s one-out double to right in the fifth inning. That was also the first ball to reach the outfield against Kazmir as he breezed through the first 13 hitters.

“At that point,” Gutierrez said, “you’re just thinking to try to get on base.”

Gutierrez remained at second when Mark Trumbo chased an outside 2-2 pitch, and Logan Morrison grounded out to second. Gutierrez also had a leadoff single in the eighth.

Mariners lefty Roenis Elias, with Hisashi Iwakuma poised to return from the disabled list, entered the game possibly needing a strong outing to hold his place in the rotation after two shellings over his three previous starts.

Asked if he felt that way, Elias said: “Not at all. I just go out there and focus on what I have to do. The decision is not mine. They’ve seen what I can do and what I have done.”

Elias (4-6) gave up just three hits in six innings, and one was a line-hugging grounder and another was a bloop into right on a defensive swing. He also issued just one walk.

The Athletics turned that into three runs.

“Luck was on their end,” Elias said. “Those are things you can’t control. You just focus on what you can control.”

Tom Wilhelmsen replaced Elias to start the seventh and had another rocky outing in yielding a single and a triple that accounted for Oakland’s final run.

Wilhelmsen has allowed nine runs and 11 hits over 6 2/3 innings in his last seven appearances, which turned a 1.96 ERA into an unsightly 4.68.

“His trouble seems to be with two outs and nobody on,” McClendon said. “He’s running into problems, particularly command problems. We’ve got to get him straightened out.”

The game’s decisive moment occurred in the Oakland first inning when Elias issued a two-out walk to Ben Zobrist in the first inning after jumping ahead 1-2 in the count.

“I gave up the walk,” Elias said. “That’s the only one I gave up today, and it didn’t work out.”

No, it didn’t. Billy Butler followed with a double to left on a grounder just fair past third base that moved Zobrist to third. Josh Phegley then flicked a two-run double into right field.

“It was outside,” Elias said. “He just stuck the bat out there and blooped it into right field.”

Phegley’s two-run double also ended the Mariners’ streak of 24 straight scoreless innings by their rotation over the three previous games.

Elias retired 12 in row after Phegley’s double, but the streak ended with a bang when Marcus Semien hooked a 2-0 fastball for a two-out homer to left in the fifth inning.

And, OK, that was hit hard. It was Semien’s seventh homer of the season — and third against the Mariners.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 8-17

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 8-17. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Silvertips’ playoff picture coming together as season hits final week

Everett is officially the Western Conference’s No. 3 seed and is likely heading into a matchup with Kelowna or Vancouver.

Los Angeles Rams offensive guard Tremayne Anchrum (72) against the Denver Broncos during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Seahawks add to position of need, sign guard Tremayne Anchrum Jr.

The 25-year-old has played in 31 games, starting once, since being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 2020.

Everett Community College head coach Chet Hovde watches as the women's team practices on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
EvCC coach Chet Hovde, who ‘lived for’ basketball, dies at 77

Coach Hovde graduated from Everett High School in 1965. He spent 33 years as the women’s basketball coach at the community college.

Jackson’s Ian Friedrichsen celebrates his goal with his teammates during the game against Bothell on Thursday, May 11, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep boys soccer: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines for this high school boys soccer season

Jackson’s Rachel Sysum is hugged by Leneyah Mitchell after hitting a home run during the game against Bothell on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep softball: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines to keep an eye on this high school softball season.

X
Prep roundup for Friday, March 15

Prep roundup for Friday, March 15: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Glacier Peak’s Samantha Christensen runs to home plate to celebrate her home run with her teammates during the game against Snohomish on Friday, March 15, 2024 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
GALLERY: Glacier Peak softball tops rival Snohomish

The Grizzlies prevail 9-5 in a clash of area powers.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

The Washington Wolfpack logo is revealed during the Everett AFL team unveiling at Tony V's Garage in Everett, Washington onThursday, Oct. 26, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett’s new arena football team to have 4 televised games

The NFL Network will broadcast 30 AFL games this season, including two Wolfpack home games.

Washington coach Mike Hopkins yells to the team during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against California, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Seattle. California won 82-80. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Looking back at Mike Hopkins’ turbulent tenure as UW men’s basketball coach

The departing Huskies coach had highs early, but the good times didn’t last long.

X
Prep roundup for Saturday, March 16

Prep roundup for Saturday, March 16: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

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.