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A's rip Mariners

Sep 3, 2011 - 5:31 AM Oakland, CA (Sports Network) - Cliff Pennington smacked a three-run homer and Hideki Matsui smoked a three-run double, leading the Oakland Athletics to a 9-2 drubbing of the Seattle Mariners in the opener of a three-game series.

Scott Sizemore had two hits, including an RBI single, and Brandon Allen collected the other RBI for the A's, who have won back-to-back games after dropping five straight.

Guillermo Moscoso (7-8) worked seven effective innings, giving up two runs -- one earned -- on five hits while striking out six and issuing only one walk.

Franklin Gutierrez and Brendan Ryan drove in runs and Casper Wells added a double for the Mariners, losers in six of their last eight contests.

Jason Vargas (7-13) was saddled with the loss after giving up five runs -- four earned -- on six hits while fanning four and walking four.

After falling behind early, Oakland roared back in the third, plating four runs to take a 4-2 lead. Kurt Suzuki, Jemile Weeks and Coco Crisp all singled to load the bases with one out. Matsui then drove them all in with a double that rolled all the way to the wall in left center field to make it 3-2. The A's then added a fourth run on a swinging bunt single that allowed Matsui to score.

The A's expanded their lead in the fifth inning when Matsui drew a one-out walk and Josh Willingham was plunked by Vargas to put runners on first and second with one out. Sizemore then brought home Matsui with a single to right to make it 5-2.

Oakland broke the game open in the seventh, scoring four runs to make it 9-2. Matsui singled to open the frame, Willingham walked and Sizemore singled to load the bases with no outs. Mariners reliever Cesar Jimenez then uncorked a wild pitch, allowing Matsui to score and the other two runners to advance. After Allen struck out, Jeff Gray was summoned from the Mariners bullpen to face Pennington, who greeted him rather rudely, by smashing a ball over the right field wall to give the A's a very comfortable lead.

Earlier Seattle opened the scoring in its first at bat when Ichiro Suzuki slapped a single to lead off the game, advanced all the way to third on a fielding error by Michael Taylor and came home on a groundout by Gutierrez to give the Mariners an early 1-0 advantage.

The Mariners added a run in the second inning. Kyle Seager drew a two-out walk and Wells doubled to put runners on second and third. Ryan then reached on an infield single, allowing Seager to score for a 2-0 Seattle lead.

Game Notes

Prior to Friday's game, the Mariners activated first baseman Justin Smoak from the 15-day disabled list. He went 2-for-4 in his return..Friday's game began a six-game homestand for the A's...Mariners rookie second baseman Dustin Ackley has recorded a hit in 50 of his 66 games this season, and has reached base safely in 55 of 66...The Mariners lead the season series with Oakland by a 9-5 count...Oakland holds a 17-23 record against the American League West, while the Mariners are 18-25 against opponents within their division.