Athletics 4 - 0 Mariners
Final
  for this game

Lester attempts to keep A's in playoff hunt

Sep 14, 2014 - 11:55 AM (SportsNetwork.com) - Jon Lester tries to keep the Oakland Athletics in the American League playoff hunt on Sunday when they close out a three-game set against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field.

Lester won for the first time in four decisions on Tuesday in Chicago, as he held the White Sox to a pair of runs and seven hits in eight innings. He also struck out eight and improved to 14-10 on the year to go along with a 2.52 ERA.

"I don't try to put any more pressure on myself based on a losing streak, winning streak, in between streak, whatever it is," said Lester, who is 4-3 with a 2.54 ERA in eight starts since being acquired from Boston. "I just try to pitch to the best of my ability and give my team a chance to win."

Lester is 4-4 in 11 starts versus the Mariners with a 3.80 ERA.

Seattle, meanwhile, will counter with righty Chris Young, who is 12-7 with a 3.35 ERA. Young appeared to be running out of gas, following a pair of rough outings, but rebounded against Texas on Sept. 6, allowing just two unearned runs in five innings. He may not have earned a decision in the 4-2 win, but was encouraged with the outing.

"I certainly wasn't very satisfied with my previous start and I wanted to contribute to a win and the guys picked me up," Young said. "It was a good overall effort, especially on a tough night when we had to wait awhile to play."

Young has faced the A's nine times (8 starts) and is 3-3 with a 3.83 ERA.

Oakland picked up a much-needed win on Saturday, as it took advantage of Fernando Rodney's wildness in the 10th inning to record a 3-2 victory.

Rodney (1-6) issued four walks in the top of the 10th, the last coming to Jed Lowrie with the bases loaded that brought in the eventual winning run and sent the Mariners a game behind Kansas City for the American League's second wild card.

"It was tough to find the strike zone," Rodney said.

The A's, who halted a three-game skid, hold the top wild card spot in the AL, but are just a half game up on the Royals and a 1 1/2 games in front of the Mariners.

Despite Saturday's loss the Mariners are 10-8 against the A's this season and have won eight of the last 12 meetings between the AL West foes.






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