Mariners 2, Athletics 1
OAKLAND - Seattle Mariners pitcher Mike Montgomery allowed a run for the first time in nearly three weeks but still managed to win his third consecutive start with the help of the Seattle bullpen, as the Mariners downed the Oakland Athletics 2-1 on Sunday to salvage a series split.
Right fielder Seth Smith delivered a two-out, two-run single in the sixth to put the Mariners ahead. The rally started with two outs and no one on base. Second baseman Robinson Cano was hit by a pitch and designated Nelson Cruz doubled ahead of Smith.
Outfielder Sam Fuld ended Montgomery's scoreless streak at 20 with his first home run of the season, a solo shot with one out in third.
Montgomery's streak is the second longest by a Mariners rookie, behind only Mark Langston's 21 innings in 1984. His 1.62 ERA through his first seven major league starts is the second-lowest, to Felix Hernandez (1.59), among Mariners rookie pitchers.
Montgomery (4-2) allowed a run on six hits over his 5 2/3 innings. He walked one and struck out two as he improved to 3-0 on the road.
Credit Mark Lowe and his 0.72 ERA for keeping the A's from tying the game. He came on with two outs in the sixth, after second baseman Ben Zobrist doubled and DH Billy Butler walked. Lowe struck out pinch hitter Josh Reddick.
Lowe and Joe Beimel combined to throw 2 1/3 scoreless innings before turning it over to Fernando Rodney, who pitched the ninth for his 16th save.
Rodney got the first two outs of the inning and then gave up an infield single to Reddick and walked pinch hitter Ike Davis before getting left fielder Mark Canha to ground out to end it.
The A's grounded into double plays in three consecutive innings, once with a runner on third, to hurt their chances.
A's starter Chris Bassitt (0-2) retired 17 of the first 20 batters he faced before hitting Cano. He gave up two runs on five hits over 5 2/3 innings, walking one and striking out three. It was his second start in place of Sonny Gray.
Notes: Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon will miss the series against the Detroit Tigers to attend to family matters following the death of his sister. ... Mariners RHP Hisashi Iwakuma (0-1, 6.61) will come off the disabled list to start Monday night's game ... The A's announced that INF Nate Freiman has cleared waivers and has been outrighted to Triple-A Nashville. ... RHP Sonny Gray (9-3, 2.09) will start Tuesday against the New York Yankees. Gray has not pitched since June 25 due to gastroenteritis caused by salmonella.