SEATTLE — The third time was the charm for the Oakland Athletics.
After losing to the Seattle Mariners in Major League Baseball’s season opener in Tokyo, then dropping their home opener to Seattle on April 6, the Athletics finally got a little revenge Friday night, spoiling the M’s home opener with a 4-0 win at Safeco Field.
Starting pitcher Bartolo Colon (2-1) handled the Mariners through seven innings, allowing three hits and striking out five in his third outing against the M’s this season, and Oakland got on the scoreboard with two runs in the third inning, which were all the Athletics needed with Colon on the mound.
“Bartolo did a nice job tonight,” Mariners manager Eric Wedge said. “… (Colon) threw really good over in Japan and he threw really good today.”
The game was played in front of an announced attendance of 46,026, officially the first sellout at Safeco Field this season.
“The home opener is obviously more significant, just because it is that,” Wedge said. “You’re in front of your fans for the first time.”
In the third inning, Oakland’s Cliff Pennington hit an RBI double and then scored two batters later when Coco Crisp singled and Seattle left fielder Chone Figgins bobbled the ball.
The Athletics added a run in the eighth inning on Kurt Suzuki’s sacrifice fly, and another in the ninth on a home run by Jemile Weeks off Charlie Furbush, who was recalled from AAA Tacoma before the game to take George Sherrill’s roster spot. Sherrill went on the disabled list with a strained flexor bundle.
Mariners starter Felix Hernandez (1-1) allowed two earned runs over seven innings. He struck out six batters. Hernandez threw nine pitches in the opening inning — all strikes — but struggled to get batters out in the third and fourth.
Hernandez said he made a “couple mistakes” that allowed the Athletics to take the lead.
“Just got behind in the count and threw a fastball right in the middle of the plate and got hurt,” he said.
It was the third time Hernandez faced Oakland this season, getting a no-decision in the season opener and a win in Oakland. The starter said he was a “little bit” tired of playing the Athletics, but was happy to be back in Seattle and “sleep in my own bed.”
Seattle’s designated hitter, Jesus Montero, singled in the fourth inning, extending his hitting streak to seven games. Ichiro Suzuki and Dustin Ackley also recorded hits off Colon, who had retired 10 straight Mariner batters before being taken out of the game after seven innings.
“We’re going to be a much better offensive club this year,” Wedge said, adding that the team got in from Texas late last night. “… I really do feel that once these guys hit their stride offensively, you’re going to see a much more consistent ball club offensively.”
The Mariners’ best scoring opportunity came in the eighth inning with leadoff walks by Miguel Olivo and Brendan Ryan after Ryan Cook relieved Colon. Rather than sacrifice bunt, Figgins grounded into a double play and Dustin Ackley grounded out to Weeks to end the inning — and the threat.
“We’re not looking just to get back in it when there’s a few outs left in the game,” Wedge said of not bunting.
Cook and Grant Balfour each pitched an inning in relief for the Athletics, with neither giving up a hit.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
