Mariners 4 - 2 Athletics
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Mariners capitalize on error, win in extras

Jul 6, 2011 - 7:03 AM

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Oakland, CA (Sports Network) - Cliff Pennington's errant throw on a possible double-play grounder allowed Franklin Gutierrez to score the go-ahead run in the top of the 10th frame as Seattle downed Oakland, 4-2, in the continuation of a three-game set at the Coliseum.

A good throw may not have completed the double play, but it wouldn't have scored Gutierrez. However, with Ichiro Suzuki bearing down on Pennington, his throw sailed well down the right-field line to allow the go-ahead run to score. Adam Kennedy's subsequent run-scoring double capped the scoring.

Brandon League (1-4) blew the save but picked up the victory, while Jamey Wright notched his first save. Felix Hernandez did not factor in the decision, but went eight dominant frames, giving up one run on four hits with 10 strikeouts. Seattle has won three straight, thanks in part to Dustin Ackley's solo home run and two runs scored.

"Felix was as good as we've seen him all year long, and that's saying a lot talking about him," Mariners manager Eric Wedge said.

Trevor Cahill was solid on the mound for Oakland, giving up two runs -- one earned -- on five hits with five strikeouts and one walk over seven frames in a no-decision. Andrew Bailey (0-1) was the hard-luck loser thanks to the shoddy defense in the 10th frame. Oakland has lost three of four overall.

Seattle pushed across the game's first run in the second as Ackley singled, stole second and moved to third on a wild throw from the catcher Kurt Suzuki. He then scored on Carlos Peguero's sacrifice fly.

Ackley showed off some power in the seventh, driving a hanging breaking ball over the wall in straightaway center field for a 2-0 game.

Oakland showed its mettle and scored its first run on Suzuki's solo shot in the eighth, and a long inning for Hernandez didn't allow him to come back out for the ninth.

"There's always certain ways to beat really good pitchers, and one of them is to try to wear them down, stay with them and get them out of the game," Athletics manager Bob Melvin said.

That proved pivotal as the All-Star selection League blew the save, giving up Jemile Weeks' leadoff double and Coco Crisp's one-out, run-scoring single.

The Mariners took the momentum right back in the 10th frame. Gutierrez singled and stole second, giving Bailey the option to walk Suzuki with first base open. Brendan Ryan then hit what could have been a double-play ball, but Pennington's throw was well wide of first.

Game Notes

Seattle has won six of nine meetings with Oakland this season...Ackley has three home runs on the season...League blew his fourth save of the season...Hernandez lowered his earned run average to 3.22.






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