Henderson’s Pinch 3-Run Homer In Ninth Beats Mariners

Pinch-hitter Rickey Henderson, who had missed four games with a sore left shoulder, hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning Tuesday night to give the Oakland Athletics a 7-5 victory over the Seattle Mariners.

Trailing 5-3 going into the ninth inning, Ruben Sierra singled to center off Mariners reliever Jim Converse (0-1) and stole second before Brent Gates also singled, driving in Sierra to make it 5-4.

Geronimo Berroa singled to put runners at first and third. One out later, left-hander Ron Villone came on to face the left-handed hitting Jason Giambi, but Henderson pinch hit and delivered his first home run of the season.

Don Wengert (1-1) went 1 2/3 innings, allowing one hit.

The crowd of 8,125 was the lowest this season at the Oakland Coliseum.

Edgar Martinez broke up a scoreless game with a full-count home run off Todd Stottlemyre leading off the fourth inning, his third of the season. Two outs later, Dan Wilson doubled and scored on Alex Rodriguez’ single to center.

In the fifth, Stottlemyre walked Ken Griffey, Jr. One out later, Griffey stole his first base of the season in his second attempt and then scored on Martinez’ single down the third-base line.

An inning later, the Mariners made it 4-0 when Wilson singled, moved to second on Rodriguez’ sacrifice and scored on Darren Bragg’s single to left.