Mariners 3, Athletics 1
Felix Hernandez struck out eight in 8 1/3 dominating innings as visiting Seattle defeated Oakland.
Dustin Ackley hit a two-run homer and Abraham Almonte added a solo shot as the Mariners improved to 4-1. Hernandez (2-0) allowed one run, six hits and one walk before tiring in the ninth while moving to 16-7 all-time against the Athletics in 30 career starts.
Oakland’s Jed Lowrie led off the ninth by belting a second-pitch curveball over the right-center field fence to end Hernandez’s shutout bid and Brandon Moss followed with a line single up the middle. Yoenis Cespedes narrowly missed a tying two-run shot with a foul blast down the left-field line before flying to right and Fernando Rodney replaced Hernandez and struck out John Jaso and Josh Reddick for his first save since joining Seattle.
Dan Straily (0-1) struck out seven in six innings and gave up three runs and six hits for the Athletics. He was knotted in a scoreless battle with Hernandez before Ackley ripped a two-run shot over the right-field fence in the fifth and Almonte followed suit two batters later to make it a three-run margin.
Hernandez cruised through the first seven innings and Oakland’s Daric Barton and Eric Sogard were retired on hard-hit balls to start the eighth. Hernandez issued his first walk to Coco Crisp and Josh Donaldson followed with a sinking liner to right that Michael Saunders corralled for the final out.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Hernandez, who threw 101 pitches, hasn’t gone the distance since August 27, 2012 after failing to toss a complete game in 31 starts last season. … Oakland RHP Ryan Cook (shoulder) will be re-evaluated after he pitches a two-inning stint for Single-A Visalia and could return to the majors sometime next week. … There were no issues with the field on Saturday after Friday’s contest was postponed due to the surface being unplayable.