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Bedard, Norton fuel Mariners past Athletics

Apr 27, 2008 - 5:30 AM SEATTLE (Ticker) -- After missing nearly three weeks of action, Erik Bedard allowed two hits in six-plus innings and Greg Norton had three hits and three RBI in his third start to power the Seattle Mariners to a 5-3 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Saturday.

Bedard (2-0), who had not made a start since April 8 with inflammation in his left hip, struck out four and walked four in 6 2/3 innings to pick up the victory.

A native of Ontario, Bedard looked dominant in his return from the disabled list.

"I felt pretty good," Bedard said. "I wasn't expecting that, but it went through good and we won the game."

"That was a pretty spectacular return for Mr. Bedard. He really looked great," Seattle manager John McLaren said. "He had everything working, he had great control, curveball, change, location of fastball; he really threw the ball well."

Three relievers bridged the gap to closer J.J. Putz, who allowed a two-run single to Daric Barton and walked three batters before getting the final three outs in the ninth to end the game.

"He's the best there is, in closers," Oakland manager Bob Geren said of Putz. "To mount that kind of attack against him was a great effort by our guys."

"J.J., one of the better closers in the game, was scuffling a little bit," said Mike Sweeney, who made the last out. "You know we had the go-ahead runners on base and I went up there with the idea to get a good pitch to hit. It started in the zone, 98 miles per hour and ran up and in. I didn't get the job done. It's as simple as that."

After slapping an RBI single to center to give Seattle a 3-0 lead in the sixth inning, Norton capped the scoring in the eighth with a two-run double.

"I was just able to put some decent swings on some balls tonight," Norton said. "As bench players, we do a lot of extra work and when you get the opportunity to get in there, you just hope to produce."

Ichiro Suzuki and Brad Wilkerson added run-scoring singles for Seattle, which snapped a three-game losing streak.

Justin Duchscherer (1-1), who returned from a strained biceps injury, allowed two runs and six hits in five innings in a losing effort.

"I'm not happy that we lost the game and I put us in the hole, down 2-0," Duchscherer said. "All in all, I got through five innings. I was hoping to get through six, but on a limited pitch count I wanted to at least give the team a chance. I'm pleased with the fact that my body felt good. I had no problems and I threw my 72 pitches pain-free."

Sweeney belted a solo home run for Oakland, which lost for just the second time in eight games.