A’s batter Mariners

SEATTLE — Gio Gonzalez battled through early control problems to throw seven scoreless innings and the Oakland Athletics defeated the Seattle Mariners 8-1 on Thursday night. Gonzalez (15-9) couldn’t find the strike zone in the fourth inning, walking Justin Smoak and Adam Moore on nine pitches. Matt Mangini sacrificed the runners over. Michael Saunders drew a two-out walk to load the bases, but Josh Wilson flied out to center field to end the threat. Doug Fister (6-14) gave up six runs, the last two scoring in the sixth inning on a home run by Chris Carter. Seattle’s only run came in the eighth inning off Vin Mazzaro.