Rowland-Smith leads M’s
SEATTLE – Ryan Rowland-Smith has been a bright spot for the Mariners in an otherwise gloomy season.
The converted reliever allowed three runs in 6 2/3 innings and the Seattle Mariners beat the Oakland Athletics 7-3 on Saturday for their first consecutive wins since they won four straight from Aug. 29 to Sept. 1.
Oakland (75-85) has lost four straight and will finish in third place in the A.L. West for the second straight year.
In his last eight outings, Rowland-Smith has a 2.56 ERA, allowing three runs or fewer each time out.
“He was out there today with total focus, preparation and he’s just getting better and better, and I think it’s a real bright spot for the organization that he’s come on like he has,” Mariners manager Jim Riggleman said.
Rowland-Smith has been the surprise of the rotation on a team that traded during the off-season for Erik Bedard, has a budding ace in Felix Hernandez and has a former first-round draft choice in Brandon Morrow.
After starting the season as a reliever, Rowland-Smith was sent down to Triple-A Tacoma on July 25 to be converted into a starter. After three starts, he returned to Seattle.
“It’s been a huge learning experience for me and I’ve had success in the mean time,” Rowland-Smith said. “I’m really happy with what I’ve done.”
He has likely pitched himself into Seattle’s starting rotation for 2009.
“There is nothing more he can do except come to spring training ready to nail his spot down,” Riggleman said.
The Mariners’ offense provided Rowland-Smith with plenty of run support, and Sean Green allowed one hit over the final 2 1/3 innings for his first career save.
The Mariners loaded the bases with no outs in the first inning. After Oakland starter Greg Smith walked in a run, Wladimir Balentien doubled to left-center field to score two runs. Kenji Johjima followed with a drive over the left-field wall to make it 6-0.
Daric Barton led off the second with a double and scored on Cliff Pennington’s single. The A’s picked up another run in the top of the fourth. Pennington doubled to lead off the inning and advanced to third base on a wild pitch by Rowland-Smith. Travis Buck beat out a throw by third baseman Matt Tuiasosopo for an infield single that scored Pennington.
Smith (7-16) didn’t allow another hit after the first until Yuniesky Betancourt doubled in the fifth. Smith allowed five hits in seven innings.
“He pitched better after the first inning,” A’s manager Bob Geren said. “The change (was) up, the home run was up, the curveball was up. Then he started getting the ball down in the zone with movement.”