Marco Gonzales makes longest start of career to guide Mariners to shutout win
OAKLAND, Calif. – Marco Gonzales is taking a more aggressive approach, and it seems to be working.
Gonzales allowed two hits in seven innings in the longest start of his career, and the Seattle Mariners scored their only run on an error in a 1-0 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday night.
Gonzales (4-3), the former Gonzaga University star, struck out six and walked two, combining with two relievers on a three-hitter as Seattle recorded its fourth shutout of the season. The Mariners have won five straight and seven of their last nine.
“I can’t be timid,” Gonzales said. “I’ve got to make pitches in the zone and I’ve got to be aggressive.”
Over his last two starts, the 26-year-old left-hander has allowed one unearned run in 12 2/3 innings.
“We needed everything he gave us tonight,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said. “We didn’t do much offensively, just enough, but the story of our night was really the pitching.”
Oakland’s Daniel Gossett (0-2) allowed one unearned run on four hits in seven innings in his third big league start of the season and first since he was optioned to Triple-A Nashville on April 7. The right-hander struck out five and walked one, and his ERA dropped from 11.05 to 5.65.
“I was excited to get back here,” Gossett said. “I was a little nervous to be honest. I made a few adjustments in Nashville mentally and physically. I slowed down just a little bit. When you can get everything synced up, your velocity and control are there. I’m staying aggressive and having a ton of confidence.”
The Mariners scored in the fourth when Guillermo Heredia doubled leading off. He was at third with one out when shortstop Marcus Semien bobbled Kyle Seager’s fielder’s choice grounder before he could get off a throw.
The A’s were shut out for the third time this season and have scored just two runs in 19 innings since a 7-3 East Coast trip in which they won their last four games.
Juan Nicasio worked the eighth, and Edwin Diaz struck out the side in the ninth for his 17th save in 19 opportunities.
M’s get new lease
The Washington State Major League Baseball Public Facilities District approved terms of a new 25-year lease with the Mariners for Safeco Field.
Combined with options for two three-year extensions as part of the agreement approved Wednesday, the new lease could keep the Mariners at the stadium through the 2049 season.
As part of the lease terms, the Mariners agreed to pay 100 percent of maintenance and operations costs at the stadium and “contribute to ongoing capital improvements that will be needed in the decades to come.”
The new lease is five years longer than the original 20-year agreement when the ballpark was constructed and opened in 1999. The current lease was set to expire at the conclusion of the 2018 season.
Trainer’s room
Mariners: OF Nelson Cruz went 0 for 4 after missing two games with a bruised elbow sustained when he was hit by a pitch Saturday against Detroit. … OF Mitch Haniger, who was hit by a pitch on his right forearm on Tuesday, was given a day off. He also could sit out Thursday’s series finale, Servais said. … RHP Dan Altavilla was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento.
Athletics: OF/DH Khris Davis was placed on the DL with a strained right groin. The move was retroactive to Monday. … The A’s called up INF Franklin Barreto along with Gossett from Triple-A Nashville and designated RHP Wilmer Font for assignment.
Up next
Mariners: RHP Felix Hernandez (5-3, 5.53 ERA) is 26-10 with a 2.64 ERA in 49 career starts against Oakland.
Athletics: Reliever Josh Lucas (0-0, 1.35) will make a spot start.