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Ibanez slams A's, Mariners hang on for win

Sep 19, 2007 - 5:55 AM By Tom Kent PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- The Seattle Mariners continue to dominate the Oakland Athletics.

Raul Ibanez belted a grand slam in the fourth inning and Jeff Weaver pitched seven effective innings as the Mariners held off a late rally and defeated the Athletics, 8-7, Tuesday.

The victory marked Seattle's 13th win of the season against Oakland, which is its most victories in a season against its division foe in franchise history, besting the old mark of 12 in 2003.

The Mariners' seven wins in McAfee Coliseum this year are also their most ever in a season.

"Last season is over," said Ibanez of Oakland's 17-2 record against Seattle last year. "Every season is different. Right now we're just trying to win every game we can. It's a business out there, it's not personal. You want to win every game out there against every opponent."

With a 3-1 lead and one out in the fourth, Ichiro drew a bases-loaded walk against Oakland starter Chad Gaudin for a 4-1 advantage. After Adrian Beltre struck out, Ibanez broke the game open by depositing an 0-1 offering into the right field seats for an 8-1 bulge.

It was Ibanez's fifth career grand slam and second this season with the first coming on June 23 against Cincinnati.

"The adversity that I had to overcome - I'm really proud of that," said Ibanez of his early season shoulder injury. "It was tough there for a while but I've been blessed with some ability. I just try to do the best I can."

"I'm really happy for him," Mariners manager John McLaren said. "He's a quality player and a quality person."

The Oakland bullpen did a great job, as Santiago Casilla, Jay Marshall and Ruddy Lugo combined for five hitless innings, allowing the A's to stage a comeback.

Trailing, 8-3, in the eighth, Mark Ellis lined a bases-loaded triple down the left field line off Seattle reliever Sean Green. After Marco Scutaro flied out to right, Jack Hannahan plated Ellis with a double to left to cut the deficit to 8-7.

"We did a nice job of fighting back," A's manager Bob Geren said. "We had the right guys up there late and had a chance to win. We were just one big hit away from winning that game."

However, the Mariners were able to hang on for the win.

With closer J.J. Putz unavailable, George Sherrill struck out the side in the ninth for his second save in five chances.

Weaver (7-12), who was coming off his shortest outing of the season against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays last Tuesday where he allowed five runs in just 1 1/3 innings, yielded three runs and five hits while striking out three and walking one.

"Weaver did a good job," McLaren said. "It was a quality outing for him." Gaudin (11-11) was tagged for eight runs and eight his in four innings while walking one and striking out three.

"It's game of inches," Gaudin said. "Maybe if that ball is in a little more it's a different story. You go through some struggles and times where things aren't going so good, but you have to find a way to get out of them."