The Seattle Mariners will look to make up more ground on the first-place Athletics when the teams meet Tuesday night in the second contest of a three-game series at West Sacramento, Calif.
The Mariners moved to within 1 1/2 games of the American League West leaders by slugging four home runs for the fourth time this season on Monday in a 9-2 rout of the A’s.
Seattle took control with a six-run third inning that included two-run homers by both Luke Raley and Dominic Canzone.
The Athletics failed to turn a possible inning-ending double play on a ball hit by Josh Naylor that allowed the first run to score and kept the inning alive. Seattle took advantage in a manner that impressed manager Dan Wilson.
“Just to see that big inning kinda explode there felt great,” Wilson said. “Hopefully there’s more to come.”
Randy Arozarena went 3-for-5 with a homer and three RBIs. J.P. Crawford belted a solo shot as Seattle halted a two-game skid.
“It was a great way to start the series,” Wilson said. “Offensively, getting that big inning with two outs and putting together some really good at-bats and getting big blows by Rales and Dom, those were huge.”
Shea Langeliers homered for the Athletics, who have dropped three of their past four games.
Nick Kurtz will look to break Mark McGwire’s franchise-record, single-season streak of reaching base in 48 consecutive games on Tuesday. Kurtz tied the mark that McGwire set in 1996 by going 0-for-3 with a walk on Monday.
McGwire also holds the franchise’s overall mark of reaching in 62 straight contests. He started the streak by reaching in his final 14 games of the 1995 season.
Athletics manager Mark Kotsay looked at Seattle’s big third inning as a missed opportunity.
“Obviously, we didn’t turn a double play in the third inning, or the result could have been different,” Kotsay said.
Athletics right-hander Aaron Civale gave up three homers for the second straight start and is bothered by a shoulder ailment that could send him to the injured list.
“We’re going to get some tests done (Tuesday) morning on Aaron. (He’s) most likely headed to the IL,” Kotsay said.
The A’s had a better development Monday afternoon when standout shortstop Jacob Wilson (shoulder) took some swings with the bat.
“It’s a good sign, good progress since he was diagnosed with the injury,” Kotsay said. “He hit with the ball placed on a tee. He did well.”
Jacob Wilson dislocated his left shoulder while diving for a grounder against the Baltimore Orioles on May 10. He went on the 10-day injured list effective May 11.
Athletics right-hander Luis Severino (2-5, 4.23 ERA) will look to halt a four-game winless stretch when he takes the ball Tuesday.
Severino struck out a season-high 10 batters and didn’t walk anyone against the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday but had to settle for a no-decision in the Athletics’ 3-2, 10-inning win. He gave up two runs and three hits over seven innings.
Severino lost three straight outings before the stellar work against the Angels.
Severino, 32, is 3-2 with a 3.57 ERA in seven career starts against Seattle. He has shut down Julio Rodriguez (1-for-11, six strikeouts).
The Mariners turn to right-hander Emerson Hancock (3-2, 3.07), who received a no-decision in a 6-4 loss to the Athletics on April 20 in Seattle. He gave up three runs and seven hits over five innings.
Hancock has three no-decisions and a 4.41 ERA in three career starts against the A’s. Tyler Soderstrom (3-for-8), Carlos Cortes (2-for-2), Brent Rooker (2-for-4), Langeliers (2-for-7) and Kurtz (1-for-4) have homered against Hancock, who turns 27 on Sunday
Last Wednesday, Hancock allowed two runs and five hits over five innings in a no-decision against the Chicago White Sox. Seattle won 5-4.
–Field Level Media
