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Lopez highlights five-run fifth as Mariners down Athletics

Jul 10, 2008 - 6:29 AM By Al Barba PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- The clutch hit and big inning had eluded the Seattle Mariners recently.

The Mariners broke out of a scoring drought on Wednesday night as Jose Lopez drove in three runs with a double that highlighted a five-run fifth inning in a 6-4 victory over the Oakland Athletics.

Prior to their outburst, the Mariners had scored just five runs in their previous 37 innings.

"It was a great effort. We were down 4-1, we've lost three in a row and have gotten good pitching," Seattle interim manager Jim Riggleman said. "Our guy was pitching great tonight and had to come out early, and it could have been real discouraging. But they kept their head up, hit the ball, found some holes tonight and showed the character of the ballclub."

After Donnie Murphy gave Oakland a 4-1 lead with a three-run double in the fourth inning, Seattle sent nine batters to the plate against A's starter Joe Blanton (5-12) in the fifth to take a 6-4 advantage.

The Mariners loaded the bases with one out before Lopez stroked a double to deep left field, tying the contest.

"The first two times up, (Blanton) threw me a fastball first pitch, and I knew he wasn't going to throw it again, so I waited on the curveball and put a good swing on it," Lopez said.

Raul Ibanez followed with a double of his own to plate Lopez before scoring the final run on an infield single by Adrian Beltre.

"It's a big inning, especially when we lose three games in a row," Lopez said. "We didn't play bad the first two games here. We lose 4-3 and 2-0. Today is a new game and you get ready to play."

Blanton allowed six runs and nine hits in six innings, striking out two as he former Oakland teammate Barry Zito of the San Francisco Giants for the most losses in the majors.

"I've had innings where I've gotten in trouble and got out of it," Blanton said. "I have some innings where I'm making a good pitch and getting out of it, and others where I'm not. It's just the way it's going. I just didn't make quality pitches after a couple guys got on base."

"(Blanton) got a curveball up that was hit for a double and got a couple of fastballs up," Athletics manager Bob Geren said. "To his credit, he came back in the sixth and had a good inning. He finished strong."

Roy Corcoran (1-0) pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings of relief for the Mariners, allowing one hit and striking out one to record his first major league victory. The rookie righthander relieved Ryan Rowland-Smith, who replaced starter Miguel Batista after two frames due to a strained groin.

"It feels good. It's been three years up and down and never gotten one," Corcoran said of notching his first career win. "It's a good feeling for everyone to come out on top tonight and win the game."

Brandon Morrow pitched a scoreless ninth to record his eighth save.

Jack Cust broke out of a career-high 0-for-18 slump with a leadoff home run to center field in the second inning off Batista to give the Athletics a 1-0 lead.

Blanton had held Seattle scoreless through the first 3 1/3 innings before Beltre's RBI single accounted for the Mariners' first run since Richie Sexson's first-inning, three-run homer in Monday's series opener.