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Mariners seek to move above .500 in finale with A's

Jul 6, 2011 - 2:45 PM (Sports Network) - The Seattle Mariners try to go above .500 and complete a three-game sweep of the Oakland Athletics in the process when they wrap up their set against their division foes this afternoon at the Coliseum.

The Mariners won their fourth straight game on Tuesday, as 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, propelling Seattle to a 4-2 win.

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.

"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 as well 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.

Today, the Mariners turn to lefty Jason Vargas, who was terrific his last time out. Vargas threw his third shutout of the season on Friday, as he scattered six hits and struck out seven without walking a batter to beat the San Diego Padres, while improving to 6-5 to go along with a 3.57 ERA.

"When he's throwing the ball where he wants to, he's tough," Wedge said. "He repeats his delivery so well. He's very consistent with his arm action, and he knows how to pitch."

Vargas gave up six runs in five innings in a loss to the A's back on April 23 and is 2-2 with a 4.73 ERA in six games (four starts) against them.

Countering for Oakland will be right-hander Guillermo Moscoso, who is 2-4 with a 2.51 ERA. Moscoso lost his fourth straight decision last Wednesday to Florida, as he allowed three runs (one earned) and four hits in six innings. He also fanned eight and did not walk a batter.

Oakland has managed just seven total hits while getting shut out in Moscoso's last two starts.

Seattle is 6-3 against the A's this season.