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Ichiro, A's miscues help Mariners win again

Apr 3, 2011 - 7:02 AM Oakland, CA (Sports Network) - Ichiro Suzuki broke the franchise record for hits when his infield single scored Jack Wilson with the go-ahead run in the ninth inning, helping the Mariners to a 5-2 win over the Oakland Athletics.

Suzuki has 2,248 career hits, passing the mark held by Edgar Martinez (2,247). Coincidentally, Suzuki's game on Saturday night came on the 10th anniversary of his major league debut.

"A great accomplishment by a great player," said Mariners manager Eric Wedge. "You can't say it any more simple than that."

One night after committing five errors in a 6-2 loss, miscues hurt the Athletics again. They committed an error in the ninth inning, and a wild pitch from Brian Fuentes (0-1) scored another run.

Jason Vargas had six strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings in the start for the Mariners. Brandon League retired the final three batters in order to get the save.

Daric Barton had three hits, including a pair of doubles, for the A's. Brett Anderson lasted six innings in the start, allowing five hits and a run while fanning five in the second installment of the season-opening three-game series.

Oakland was behind 2-1 going into the eighth, but the A's tied it thanks in part to some controversy. Coco Crisp and Barton singled leading off against Chris Ray. David DeJesus then hit a soft liner to second baseman Jack Wilson. Second base umpire Rob Drake ruled it a trap. Crisp scrambled back to second safely and the throw to first was late, but Barton was off the base and was tagged out.

Crisp then stole third and scored on Josh Willingham's ground single to right field. Hideki Matsui grounded out to put both runners in scoring position, but Kurt Suzuki grounded out to end the inning.

Then came the ninth when Wilson led off with a base hit to left past a diving Kevin Kouzmanoff at third. Michael Saunders put down a sacrifice bunt, and pinch-hitter Miguel Olivo singled up the middle. Suzuki then chopped a ball to Barton in the hole between first and second, but his throw home was wide of the plate. Olivo went to third on the play and scored when Fuentes threw a pitch that was very high and outside. Chone Figgins capped the rally with a sacrifice fly to center.

"It's always frustrating, coming in and pitching poorly," said Fuentes. "Whether we have the lead or are tied. It's just frustrating not pitching up to your potential."

DeJesus had an RBI groundout in the third, but the Mariners tied it in the sixth on Jack Cust's run-scoring hit before going ahead in the seventh on Saunders' sacrifice fly.

Game Notes

It's just the second time in the last 13 years that A's have started 0-2...DeJesus has a 243-game errorless streak, which is the longest active among all outfielders. His last error came on September 15, 2008...Oakland second baseman Mark Ellis went 1-for4 and has a career-high 15-game hitting streak going back to last season.