Associated Press
SEATTLE — Nelson Cruz hit his 300th home run and drove in five, James Paxton allowed two hits over seven innings and the Seattle Mariners beat the Oakland Athletics 7-2 on Friday night.
Cruz’s three-run drive off Liam Hendricks put Seattle up 6-2 during a four-run eighth. Cruz also had RBI singles in the first and third as Seattle snapped a four-game skid.
Paxton (7-3) did not allow a hit after Marcus Semien’s two-run double in the second. The left-hander matched a season high with nine strikeouts while walking three and hitting a batter. Nick Vincent pitched a perfect eighth, and Mark Rzepczynski and Steve Cishek finished.
Paxton has won consecutive starts after losing three of four and struggling in his return from the disabled list in May.
Sean Manaea (7-5) gave up three runs and eight hits in seven innings. Manaea, 6-1 in his previous nine starts, struck out three and walked one.
Cruz’s homer was his 16th. Danny Valencia had three hits and scored twice for Seattle, and Mitch Haniger had two hits.
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