OAKLAND, Calif. — Josh Reddick hit a game-ending RBI double in the 13th inning to send the Oakland Athletics into the All-Star break with a .500 record by beating the Seattle Mariners on Sunday.
Jemile Weeks led off the 13th with a single off Oliver Perez (0-2) and then raced around the bases to score on Reddick’s drive to left-center field that gave the A’s their eighth walk-off win of the season and second this series.
Jordan Norberto (2-1) pitched a scoreless 13th for the win. He worked around a two-out double to Michael Saunders on a fly ball to right center that Coco Crisp and Brandon Moss lost in the sun and a flock of seagulls that hovered over the field in the extra innings.
Oakland’s Bartolo Colon was sharp in his second start back from a strained right oblique injury, allowing one run and seven hits in 8 2-3 innings. He struck out five, walked none and was extremely efficient, throwing just 93 pitches before being replaced after Justin Smoak’s double put runners on second and third.
All-Star Ryan Cook struck out Miguel Olivo to end the threat and make sure Colon’s strong outing didn’t go to waste. It’s that type of performance that could make Colon a potential trade target for a contender needing a proven starter before the July 31 deadline.
The A’s (43-43) are much closer to contention than almost anyone thought they would be at the break, trailing Baltimore by just 2½ games for the second AL wild-card spot. Oakland reached the All-Star break without a losing record for the first time since 2008.
Felix Hernandez allowed an RBI infield single to Yoenis Cespedes in the first inning and nothing else in 7 2-3 innings. Hernandez, who is headed to the All-Star game in Kansas City, has once again been one of the few bright spots for the Mariners (36-51). Seattle has lost nine of 14 and go into the break with a losing record for a third straight season.
Colon allowed a leadoff single to Dustin Ackley to open the game and then retired the next 17 batters he faced, throwing 16 straight strikes at one point. But with two outs in the sixth, Ackley singled again to start a rally. Ichiro Suzuki, who broke a career-worst 0-for-23 slump on Saturday night, then blooped a ball that landed just fair down the left-field line for a single.
Michael Saunders lined the next pitch to right field for an RBI single that tied the game at 1.
Cespedes left the game after the third inning with a sprained left thumb.
NOTES: Seattle reliever Charlie Furbish threw a wild pitch while issuing an intentional walk to Josh Reddick in the 10th. … Nine former members of the Oakland Oaks of the Pacific Coast League were on hand for the turn back the clock game with the Mariners wearing uniforms of the 1955 Seattle Rainiers and the A’s dressed as the Oaks. … Athletics LHP Brett Anderson (elbow) threw a bullpen session before the game and will next throw a simulated game in Arizona on Wednesday. … Oakland OF Colin Cowgill (sprained left ankle) ran the bases before the game and is set to begin a rehab assignment at Class-A Stockton on Monday. … Seattle manager Eric Wedge is leaning toward RHP Kevin Millwood starting the first game after the break on Friday against Texas but will wait and see how Hernandez feels after the All-Star game before making his decision.
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