Mariners 1, Athletics 0
Adam Kennedy homered and Felix Hernandez pitched seven-plus shutout innings to lead the Seattle Mariners to a 1-0 victory over the visiting Oakland Athletics on Thursday.
Kennedy’s one-out, fourth-inning homer to right field was the only run Hernandez (2-2) needed to defeat Oakland (9-10) for the second time his season. Hernandez allowed just four hits in 7 2/3 innings. He also struck out eight and issued three walks.
Jamey Wright got the final out of the eighth by inducing Conor Jackson to hit into a force with runners on first and second and Brandon League pitched the ninth for his fourth save of the season.
Oakland starter Brandon McCarthy (1-1) held the Mariners (7-13) to four hits over eight innings. McCarthy struck out six and walked one.
Kennedy homered for the second consecutive day. He started at first base with Justin Smoak away from the team while on the bereavement list.
Cliff Pennington had two hits off Hernandez. Pennington singled in the eighth and stole second and David DeJesus drew a two-out walk to finish Hernandez’s night before Wright got out of the jam with one pitch.
Josh Willingham had a leadoff single in the ninth and was at second base when League retired Mark Ellis on a foul popup to end the contest.