Mariners Try To Extend Dominance In Oakland
(Sports Network) - The Seattle Mariners try to continue their dominance in Oakland this evening when they play the first of four games against the Athletics at McAfee Coliseum.Seattle has won both of its contests in Oakland this season and has won eight in a row and 10 of its last 11 since the start of last season. The Mariners, who have swept their last three series in the Bay Area, was denied a sweep in its three-game series with Detroit on Sunday, dropping a 2-1 decision in 15 innings to the Tigers at Safeco Field. Five Seattle relievers combined on nine scoreless innings and kept the game tied into the 15th, but the M's relief corps was exhausted and Jamie Burke -- who entered the game as a catcher in the ninth inning -- was forced to come on in relief. He allowed a leadoff double to Miguel Cabrera, and pinch-runner Mike Hollimon advanced to third on a wild pitch before scoring on Marcus Thames' sacrifice fly. Yuniesky Betancourt's RBI double provided the scoring for the Mariners, who lost for just the third time in their last 10 games. Seattle's only All-Star, Ichiro Suzuki, went 1-for-6 with a walk. Burke (0-1) took the loss after reliever Cesar Jimenez got the M's into the 15th with four hitless innings, backing up Ryan Rowland-Smith, who held Detroit to a run on five hits in his five-inning start. Getting the call for the M's tonight will be veteran lefty Jarrod Washburn, who is 4-7 with a 5.08 ERA. Washburn won his second straight start and pushed his unbeaten streak to five starts on Wednesday against Toronto, as he allowed a pair of runs and seven hits in six innings. Washburn, who has allowed two runs or less in his last five outings, is just 8-13 lifetime against the A's with a 4.07 ERA in 32 games, 31 of which have been starts. Oakland will counter with lefty Dana Eveland, who is 6-5 with a 3.42 ERA. Eveland did not get a decision against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Wednesday, as he allowed three runs and four hits in 5 2/3 innings. Eveland defeated the M's earlier in the year in his only other appearance against them, yielding three runs and six hits in 5 1/3 frames back on April 25. The A's enter this series on a sour note after dropping the final two games of their three-game affair with the Chicago White Sox, including a 4-3 setback in Sunday's rubber match at U.S. Cellular Field. Rich Harden (5-1) was saddled with his first loss of the season after giving up three runs -- two earned -- in his five-inning start. The Oakland ace was credited with five hits, four walks and four strikeouts. Rob Bowen had a two- run double for the A's, who have dropped four of six. Seattle is 3-2 overall this season against the A's.
Copyright 2008 Courtesy of The Sports Network.










