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Mariners taking advantage of Athletics' young arms

Apr 12, 2009 - 1:30 AM By Santosh Venkataraman Stats Senior Writer

Seattle (4-2) at Oakland (2-3), 4:05 p.m. EDT

OAKLAND, California (AP) -- The Seattle Mariners have taken advantage of the Oakland Athletics' inexperience on the mound so far in their series.

The Mariners will face their third straight rookie starter Sunday when Trevor Cahill takes the mound for Oakland trying to avoid a three-game sweep at home.

After Oakland (2-3) saw Thursday's game against Los Angeles Angels postponed due to death of Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart, Athletics manager Bob Geren decided to change his rotation plans for the weekend, sending rookies to the mound for every game in this series.

That has worked in favor of Seattle (4-2) to this point. The Mariners beat Brett Anderson in his first major league start Friday - a 5-4 victory - and chased Josh Outman after only 4 1-3 innings Saturday en route to an 8-5 win.

Now, the Mariners get their first look at Cahill (0-0, 3.60 ERA), who will make his second career start. The 21-year-old right-hander made his major league debut Tuesday against the Angels and allowed three runs over five innings in a 6-4 victory for Oakland.

Cahill issued five walks, one intentional.

"I was kind of putting the pressure on myself the whole game, getting behind and walking guys and having guys on base in every inning," he said. "I just got out of some jams, luckily. I gave up a few runs, but it could have been a lot worse.

"There were more emotions last night and today leading up to the game than the game itself. It couldn't come soon enough, and I just wanted to get it out of the way."

Seattle is in position for its first three-game sweep in Oakland since Sept. 17-19, 2007, after rallying for five runs over the final two innings Saturday. Kenji Johjima's two-run single highlighted a four-run eighth.

The Mariners also got an outstanding effort from their bullpen, with three relievers combining for four scoreless innings.

Oakland newcomer Matt Holliday had his first hitless effort of the season with two strikeouts in four at-bats Saturday. The former Colorado Rockie, acquired for closer Huston Street in November, is 3-for-14 with his new club.

Seattle's Erik Bedard (0-0, 5.40) will make his second start after his bullpen cost him a victory in his season debut. He allowed three runs over five innings and struck out eight Tuesday in a 6-5 loss at Minnesota in which the Twins scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning.

The outing was the first since July 4 for Bedard, who missed the second half of last season because of a shoulder injury that required surgery.

The left-hander is 2-3 with a 3.58 ERA in eight career starts against Oakland, including 1-0 with a 2.77 ERA in two outings on the road.

Athletics slugger Jason Giambi has a .500 on-base percentage in his career against Bedard, going 5-for-17 with five walks and also getting hit twice.