Final
Johjima caps six-run first to propel Mariners
Sep 27, 2008 - 11:21 PM By Paul Lowenberg PA SportsTicker Contributing WriterSEATTLE (Ticker) -- Kenji Johjima's three-run homer capped a six-run first inning as the Seattle Mariners recorded a 7-3 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Saturday.\
The win gave the Mariners a modest two-game winning streak but was only their third victory in 15 games.
After Ichiro Suzuki singled and Yuniesky Betancourt dropped a bunt down the third base line for a base hit, Raul Ibanez was safe on first baseman Daric Barton's fielding error to load the bases in the first.
Miguel Cairo walked to force in the first run, Wladimir Balentien hit a two-run single and Johjima belted his seventh homer of the season.
Cairo drove in another run when he singled in the eighth, extending Seattle's lead to 7-3.
Greg Smith, who had held the Mariners scoreless in two previous starts, settled down following the outburst and allowed just two more batters to reach before leaving after seven frames.
Smith (7-16) gave up six runs and five hits, walking two and striking out three. The 16 losses by the 24-year-old lefthander are the most for the club since Tom Candiotti went 11-16 in 1998.
Ryan Rowland-Smith (5-3) worked 6 2/3 innings, surrendering three runs and nine hits with five strikeouts and a pair of walks. He departed after Kurt Suzuki doubled and scored on Jack Cust's single to draw Oakland within 6-3.
Sean Green came on and tossed 2 1/3 scoreless frames to pick up his first career save.
- AL
FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
OAKLAND 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 3 10 1
SEATTLE 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 x 7 8 0 (FINAL)
BATTERIES: OAK - GREG SMITH, BRAD ZIEGLER (8TH) AND KURT SUZUKI
SEA - RYAN ROWLAND-SMITH, SEAN GREEN (7TH) AND KENJI
JOHJIMA
HOME RUNS: OAK - NONE
SEA - KENJI JOHJIMA (7) OF
Sep 27 6:30 PM - AL
AT SEATTLE - SCORING UPDATE
SINGLE BY MIGUEL CAIRO SCORED YUNIESKY BETANCOURT.
SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, M CAIRO ON FIRST, J LOPEZ ON THIRD, 1 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: OAKLAND 3
SEATTLE 7 BOTTOM, 8TH
DUE UP FOR SEATTLE: W BALENTIEN (.202, 1-FOR-3, 2 RBI)
Athletics 3, Mariners 7 Bot 8, 0 OutsSep 27 6:22 PM - AL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
OAKLAND 0 0 0 1
SEATTLE 6 6 4 0 (TOP 2)
CURRENT PITCHERS: OAK - GREG SMITH
SEA - RYAN ROWLAND-SMITH
DUE UP FOR OAKLAND: D BARTON (.221, 9 HR, 47 RBI)
B CROSBY (.239, 7 HR, 61 RBI)
J BAISLEY (.297, 0 HR, 5 RBI
Athletics 0, Mariners 6 Top 2, 0 OutsSep 27 4:34 PM - AL
AT SEATTLE - SCORING UPDATE
SINGLE BY WLADIMIR BALENTIEN SCORED YUNIESKY BETANCOURT AND
RAUL IBANEZ.
SITUATION: 3 RUNS IN, W BALENTIEN ON FIRST, M CAIRO ON THIRD, 1 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: OAKLAND 0
SEATTLE 3 BOTTOM, 1ST
DUE UP FOR SEATTLE: K JOHJIMA (.223, 6 HR, 36 RBI)
Athletics 0, Mariners 3 Bot 1, 0 OutsSep 27 4:29 PM
Related News
- Mariners Moose Tracks, 12/26/23: Kyle Keller, J.T. Realmuto, and Chad Smith Dec 26
- Elephant Rumblings: Post-Christmas lull at full throttle Dec 26
- Mariners Moose Tracks, 12/25/23: Mitch Garver, Yuki Matsui, and Joe Kelly Dec 25
- Mariners to sign Mitch Garver to 2-year, $24M contract Dec 24
- Twas The Night Before Christmas... Dec 24
- Elephant Rumblings: Luis Morales a prospect to watch in 2024 Dec 24
- 2023 Athletics Season in Review: Lawrence Butler Dec 23
- Mariners Moose Tracks, 12/23/23: Bryce Miller, Shelby Miller, and Ryan Minor Dec 23
- Elephant Rumblings: Giants Strike Out in Free Agency Once Again Dec 23
- ZiPS, Holidays & Mariner Malaise - Meet at the Mitt Podcast Dec 22
- 2023 Athletics Season in Review: Esteury Ruiz Dec 22
- Elephant Rumblings: MLB approves 2024 rule changes Dec 22