Mariners lose in 10th inning
OAKLAND, Calif. — Kurt Suzuki’s RBI single with two outs in the 10th inning lifted the Oakland Athletics to a 6-5 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night.
Cliff Pennington drew a one-out walk from Seattle reliever Brandon League (3-4), advanced to second on Daric Barton’s fly out and took third on a wild pitch. Suzuki then hit a 1-1 pitch from League up the middle, just past diving shortstop Matt Tuiasosopo.
Ryan Sweeney matched his career high with four hits, Rajai Davis had three hits, including two infield singles, and Jack Cust drove in his first two runs since being called up from the minors as the A’s swept the two-game series from Seattle following a season-high five-game losing streak.
Seattle catcher Rob Johnson homered and threw out two baserunners in scoring position but the Mariners bullpen blew a late lead to keep ace Felix Hernandez winless over his last five starts.
Oakland reliever Craig Breslow (1-1) pitched one scoreless inning for the win.
The game began as a pitching duel between Hernandez and Oakland’s Ben Sheets, but neither starter was around for the decision.
The teams used five pitchers each and the x game featured three ties and three lead changes before Suzuki’s eighth career walkoff hit.
Hernandez, who received a no-decision when he faced the A’s on Opening Day, fell behind early and would have been in a bigger hole had it not been for Johnson throwing out two baserunners.
Johnson, who has been limited recently due to back stiffness, hit a one-out home run in the third.
Hernandez finished with six strikeouts and allowed a season-high 11 hits but hung around long enough for Seattle to get the lead before the bullpen let it slip away, preventing him from earning his first win since April 21.
Sheets, coming off two solid starts, lasted 6 2/3 innings and gave up eight hits and four runs.