Beltre belts ‘em
OAKLAND, Calif. – Just about everything went right for Adrian Beltre at the plate. For his counterpart at third base, it was just the opposite kind of game in the field.
Beltre went 5 for 5 with two homers and the Seattle Mariners took advantage of an American League record-tying four errors by Oakland’s Marco Scutaro to beat All-Star Dan Haren for the second time this season with a 7-1 victory over the Athletics on Friday night.
Beltre hit a solo homer in the second inning and a two-run shot in the eighth for the Mariners, who improved to 2-3 under new manager John McLaren. Beltre also had two doubles and a single in his second career five-hit game.
“It was one of those days where everything goes good for you,” Beltre said.
For Scutaro, it was one of those days where nothing good happened.
Starting in place of banged-up Gold Glove winner Eric Chavez, Scutaro tied the A.L. record for errors in a game by a third baseman. He made a throwing error in the first inning, another in the seventh to key a three-run rally and botched two grounders in the eighth, becoming the 23rd A.L. third baseman with four errors in a game.
“It just wasn’t my day,” Scutaro said. “It happens.”
Haren (10-3) was looking to win his 11th straight decision and bolster his case to be the starting pitcher for the American League in next week’s All-Star game. But with little support from his teammates at the plate or in the field, Haren lost for the first time since a 2-1 defeat to the Angels on April 7.
Haren’s other loss this season came on opening day, when Seattle scored four unearned runs in a 4-0 victory. His defense didn’t help him this game either, making five errors, including one by Scutaro that helped fuel Seattle’s three-run seventh inning.
“He is one of the elite of the elite,” McLaren said. “We got some breaks and took advantage of them. Beating that guy is a chore.”
Eric O’Flaherty (6-0) pitched a scoreless sixth inning for the win, setting a Mariners record with six consecutive victories to start his career.
Willie Bloomquist started the go-ahead rally for Seattle with a one-out single in the seventh. He stole second and stayed there when Scutaro threw high to first on Ichiro Suzuki’s grounder for his second error of the game.
“It’s tough for any position player, especially an infielder, when you have a game like that,” Beltre said. “You just want to dig a hole and get in it.”
Jose Vidro followed with a double to the wall in center, giving the Mariners a 3-1 lead. Joe Kennedy came on and allowed an RBI single to Raul Ibanez to make it 4-1. Kennedy, who failed to make it out of the first inning as the starter Wednesday against Toronto, allowed Beltre’s 12th homer of the season in the eighth.
Earlier in the game, Beltre homered and doubled twice against Haren, improving to 13 for 29 in his career against Oakland’s ace.
“I feel OK facing him,” Beltre said. “He’s still really nasty. He has good stuff and make you look bad out there. I got lucky out there.”
Haren allowed four runs – three earned – and seven hits in seven innings, raising his A.L.-leading ERA to 2.30. He has given up at least three runs in his last five starts after allowing that many in just three of his first 14, raising his ERA from 1.58.
Seattle starter Jeff Weaver kept up his resurgence since returning from the disabled list last month, allowing only Johnson’s RBI double with two outs in the fourth inning and has a 1.67 ERA in six starts since returning from a one-month absence. He was 0-6 with a 14.32 ERA in six starts when he went on the disabled list May 11.
Weaver allowed one run and four hits in five innings before being replaced by O’Flaherty after warming up for the sixth.