AL: OAKLAND at SEATTLE <div class="pre">AL AT SEATTLE - SCORING UPDATE GRAND SLAM BY DAN JOHNSON (15) TO RIGHT WITH 2 OUT IN THE 9TH OFF RYAN ROWLAND-SMITH SCORED MARCO SCUTARO, NICK SWISHER AND MARK ELLIS. CURRENT SCORE: OAKLAND 9, SEATTLE 3 DUE UP FOR OAKLAND: J HANNAHAN (.265, 1-FOR-4, RBI)</div>
AL: OAKLAND at SEATTLE <div class="pre">AL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E - - - - - - - - - - - - OAKLAND 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 9 13 1 SEATTLE 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 3 9 0 (BOT 9) CURRENT PITCHERS: OAK - HUSTON STREET SEA - RYAN ROWLAND-SMITH DUE UP FOR SEATTLE: J LOPEZ (.260, 1-FOR-3, RBI) Y BETANCOURT (.288, 2-FOR-3) I SUZUKI (.352, 2-FOR-4)</div>
AL: OAKLAND at SEATTLE <div class="pre">OAKLAND (9) VS SEATTLE (3) - MID 9TH - IN PROGRESS OAKLAND ab r h rbi bb so lob avg S Stewart lf 5 0 1 0 0 0 1 .281 M Scutaro ss 4 1 1 0 1 0 0 .266 N Swisher cf-rf 5 1 1 0 0 2 1 .263 J Cust rf 3 0 0 0 1 3 0 .257 K Thompson pr-cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .192 a-M Piazza ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 .276 M Ellis 2b 4 2 3 0 1 0 0 .271 D Johnson dh 4 2 2 4 1 1 0 .230 J Hannahan 3b 5 1 2 1 0 1 2 .274 D Barton 1b 3 1 2 0 2 0 1 .667 K Suzuki c 4 1 1 4 0 1 5 .248 Totals 38 9 13 9 6 8 12 a-fouled out to first for K Thompson in the 9th. BATTING: 2B - D Barton (1, R Feierabend); M Ellis (29, R Feierabend); J Hannahan (6, R Rowland-Smith). HR - K Suzuki (7, 2nd inning off H Ramirez 3 on, 1 Out), D Johnson (15, 9th inning off R Rowland-Smith 3 on, 2 Out). RBI - J Hannahan (16), K Suzuki 4 (30), D Johnson 4 (55). 2-out RBI - D Johnson 4. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - S Stewart 1, K Suzuki 2, D Barton 1. Team LOB - 8. BASERUNNING: SB - N Swisher (3, 2nd base off B Morrow/K Johjima). CS - S Stewart (2, 2nd base by B Morrow/K Johjima). FIELDING: E - K Thompson (1, bobble). DP: 2 (M Ellis-M Scutaro-D Barton, J Hannahan-M Ellis-D Barton). SEATTLE ab r h rbi bb so lob avg I Suzuki cf 4 0 2 0 0 0 1 .352 A Beltre 3b 4 0 0 0 0 1 3 .281 R Ibanez lf 3 0 0 0 1 0 1 .283 J Guillen rf 3 1 1 1 0 0 1 .290 B Broussard 1b 3 1 2 0 0 0 2 .289 a-A Jones ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .270 M Morse 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.000 J Vidro dh 3 1 1 0 1 0 3 .313 K Johjima c 4 0 0 1 0 0 2 .285 J Lopez 2b 3 0 1 1 0 0 0 .260 Y Betancourt ss 3 0 2 0 0 0 1 .288 Totals 31 3 9 3 2 1 14 a-popped out to second for B Broussard in the 8th. BATTING: 2B - J Vidro (22, J Blanton). HR - J Guillen (20, 8th inning off A Embree 0 on, 1 Out). RBI - K Johjima (57), J Lopez (55), J Guillen (89). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - J Vidro 1, A Beltre 1. GIDP - I Suzuki, Y Betancourt. Team LOB - 7. FIELDING: Outfield assists - R Ibanez (K Thompson at Home). ---------------------------------------------------- OAKLAND - 050 000 004 -- 9 SEATTLE - 000 000 21 -- 3 ---------------------------------------------------- OAKLAND ip h r er bb so hr era J Blanton 7 8 2 2 1 1 0 3.77 A Embree 2/3 1 1 1 1 0 1 4.14 H Street 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 3.21 SEATTLE ip h r er bb so hr era H Ramirez 1 2/3 4 5 5 2 1 1 6.80 R Feierabend 5 1/3 4 0 0 2 5 0 6.80 G Sherrill 1 1 0 0 0 2 0 2.63 B Morrow 2/3 2 3 3 2 0 0 4.34 R Rowland-Smith 1/3 2 1 1 0 0 1 4.35 HBP - J Guillen (by J Blanton). Pitches-strikes: J Blanton 95-66; A Embree 13-7; H Street 2-2; H Ramirez 44-28; R Feierabend 80-50; G Sherrill 15-13; B Morrow 19-7; R Rowland-Smith 11-7. Ground balls-fly balls: J Blanton 14-6; A Embree 0-2; H Street 1-0; H Ramirez 2-2; R Feierabend 4-6; G Sherrill 0-1; B Morrow 0-1; R Rowland-Smith 0-1. Batters faced: J Blanton 29; A Embree 4; H Street 1; H Ramirez 11; R Feierabend 21; G Sherrill 4; B Morrow 5; R Rowland-Smith 3. UMPIRES: HP--Bruce Dreckman. 1B--Chris Guccione. 2B--Phil Cuzzi. 3B--Tom Hallion. Weather: 79 degrees, clear. Wind: 2 mph, left to right.</div>
AL: OAKLAND at SEATTLE <div class="pre">AL AT SEATTLE - MID INNING UPDATE PLAY: J DaVanon in center field. SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS CURRENT SCORE: OAKLAND 9 SEATTLE 3 BOTTOM, 9TH DUE UP FOR SEATTLE: J Lopez (.260, 1-FOR-3, RBI)</div>
AL: OAKLAND at SEATTLE <div class="pre">AL AT SEATTLE - MID INNING UPDATE PLAY: J Reed hit for J Lopez. SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS CURRENT SCORE: OAKLAND 9 SEATTLE 3 BOTTOM, 9TH DUE UP FOR SEATTLE: J Reed (.143, 0 HR, 0 RBI)</div>
AL: OAKLAND at SEATTLE <div class="pre">AL AT SEATTLE - MID INNING UPDATE PLAY: J Clement hit for Y Betancourt. SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, J REED ON FIRST, 0 OUTS CURRENT SCORE: OAKLAND 9 SEATTLE 3 BOTTOM, 9TH DUE UP FOR SEATTLE: J Clement (.000, 0 HR, 0 RBI)</div>
AL: OAKLAND at SEATTLE <div class="pre">AL FINAL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E - - - - - - - - - - - - OAKLAND 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 9 13 1 SEATTLE 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 3 10 0 (FINAL) BATTERIES: OAK - JOE BLANTON, ALAN EMBREE (8TH), HUSTON STREET (8TH) AND KURT SUZUKI SEA - HORACIO RAMIREZ, RYAN FEIERABEND (2ND), GEORGE SHERRILL (8TH), BRANDON MORROW (9TH), RYAN ROWLAND-SMITH (9TH) AND KENJI JOHJIMA HOME RUNS: OAK - KURT SUZUKI (7) OFF HORACIO RAMIREZ IN THE 2ND, 3 ON DAN JOHNSON (15) OFF RYAN ROWLAND-SMITH IN THE 9TH, 3 ON SEA - JOSE GUILLEN (20) OFF ALAN EMBREE IN THE 8TH, 0 ON</div>
AL: OAKLAND at SEATTLE <div class="pre">AL FINAL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E - - - - - - - - - - - - OAKLAND 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 9 13 1 SEATTLE 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 3 10 0 (FINAL) BATTERIES: OAK - JOE BLANTON, ALAN EMBREE (8TH), HUSTON STREET (8TH) AND KURT SUZUKI SEA - HORACIO RAMIREZ, RYAN FEIERABEND (2ND), GEORGE SHERRILL (8TH), BRANDON MORROW (9TH), RYAN ROWLAND-SMITH (9TH) AND KENJI JOHJIMA WP - JOE BLANTON (13-9) LP - HORACIO RAMIREZ (8-6) SAVE - HUSTON STREET (13) HOME RUNS: OAK - KURT SUZUKI (7) OFF HORACIO RAMIREZ IN THE 2ND, 3 ON DAN JOHNSON (15) OFF RYAN ROWLAND-SMITH IN THE 9TH, 3 ON SEA - JOSE GUILLEN (20) OFF ALAN EMBREE IN THE 8TH, 0 ON TIME: 2:44 ATT: 26,698 PROBABLES: OAK - DALLAS BRADEN (1-7, 6.63) SEA - JARROD WASHBURN (9-13, 4.32)</div>
AL: OAKLAND at SEATTLE <div class="pre">OAKLAND (9) VS SEATTLE (3) - FINAL OAKLAND ab r h rbi bb so lob avg S Stewart lf 5 0 1 0 0 0 1 .281 M Scutaro ss 4 1 1 0 1 0 0 .266 N Swisher cf-rf 5 1 1 0 0 2 1 .263 J Cust rf 3 0 0 0 1 3 0 .257 K Thompson pr-cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .192 a-M Piazza ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 .276 J DaVanon cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .224 M Ellis 2b 4 2 3 0 1 0 0 .271 D Johnson dh 4 2 2 4 1 1 0 .230 J Hannahan 3b 5 1 2 1 0 1 2 .274 D Barton 1b 3 1 2 0 2 0 1 .667 K Suzuki c 4 1 1 4 0 1 5 .248 Totals 38 9 13 9 6 8 12 a-fouled out to first for K Thompson in the 9th. BATTING: 2B - D Barton (1, R Feierabend); M Ellis (29, R Feierabend); J Hannahan (6, R Rowland-Smith). HR - K Suzuki (7, 2nd inning off H Ramirez 3 on, 1 Out), D Johnson (15, 9th inning off R Rowland-Smith 3 on, 2 Out). RBI - J Hannahan (16), K Suzuki 4 (30), D Johnson 4 (55). 2-out RBI - D Johnson 4. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - S Stewart 1, K Suzuki 2, D Barton 1. Team LOB - 8. BASERUNNING: SB - N Swisher (3, 2nd base off B Morrow/K Johjima). CS - S Stewart (2, 2nd base by B Morrow/K Johjima). FIELDING: E - K Thompson (1, bobble). DP: 2 (M Ellis-M Scutaro-D Barton, J Hannahan-M Ellis-D Barton). SEATTLE ab r h rbi bb so lob avg I Suzuki cf 5 0 2 0 0 1 2 .351 A Beltre 3b 5 0 0 0 0 1 4 .280 R Ibanez lf 3 0 0 0 1 0 1 .283 J Guillen rf 3 1 1 1 0 0 1 .290 B Broussard 1b 3 1 2 0 0 0 2 .289 a-A Jones ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .270 M Morse 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.000 J Vidro dh 3 1 1 0 1 0 3 .313 K Johjima c 4 0 0 1 0 0 2 .285 J Lopez 2b 3 0 1 1 0 0 0 .260 b-J Reed ph 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .250 Y Betancourt ss 3 0 2 0 0 0 1 .288 c-J Clement ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .000 Totals 35 3 10 3 2 2 17 a-popped out to second for B Broussard in the 8th; b-singled to center for J Lopez in the 9th; c-flied out to left for Y Betancourt in the 9th. BATTING: 2B - J Vidro (22, J Blanton). HR - J Guillen (20, 8th inning off A Embree 0 on, 1 Out). RBI - K Johjima (57), J Lopez (55), J Guillen (89). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - J Vidro 1, A Beltre 2. GIDP - I Suzuki, Y Betancourt. Team LOB - 8. FIELDING: Outfield assists - R Ibanez (K Thompson at Home). ---------------------------------------------------- OAKLAND - 050 000 004 -- 9 SEATTLE - 000 000 210 -- 3 ---------------------------------------------------- OAKLAND ip h r er bb so hr era J Blanton (W, 13-9) 7 8 2 2 1 1 0 3.77 A Embree (H, 14) 2/3 1 1 1 1 0 1 4.14 H Street (S, 13) 1 1/3 1 0 0 0 1 0 3.14 SEATTLE ip h r er bb so hr era H Ramirez (L, 8-6) 1 2/3 4 5 5 2 1 1 6.80 R Feierabend 5 1/3 4 0 0 2 5 0 6.80 G Sherrill 1 1 0 0 0 2 0 2.63 B Morrow 2/3 2 3 3 2 0 0 4.34 R Rowland-Smith 1/3 2 1 1 0 0 1 4.35 HBP - J Guillen (by J Blanton). Pitches-strikes: J Blanton 95-66; A Embree 13-7; H Street 18-12; H Ramirez 44-28; R Feierabend 80-50; G Sherrill 15-13; B Morrow 19-7; R Rowland-Smith 11-7. Ground balls-fly balls: J Blanton 14-6; A Embree 0-2; H Street 2-1; H Ramirez 2-2; R Feierabend 4-6; G Sherrill 0-1; B Morrow 0-1; R Rowland-Smith 0-1. Batters faced: J Blanton 29; A Embree 4; H Street 5; H Ramirez 11; R Feierabend 21; G Sherrill 4; B Morrow 5; R Rowland-Smith 3. UMPIRES: HP--Bruce Dreckman. 1B--Chris Guccione. 2B--Phil Cuzzi. 3B--Tom Hallion. T--2:44. Att--26,698. Weather: 79 degrees, clear. Wind: 2 mph, left to right.</div>
AL: OAKLAND at SEATTLE <div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ OAKLAND (9) AT SEATTLE (3) - HOW THEY SCORED ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ OAKLAND 2ND: J Cust struck out looking. M Ellis singled to left. D Johnson walked, M Ellis to second. J Hannahan singled to left, M Ellis scored, D Johnson to second. D Barton walked, D Johnson to third, J Hannahan to second. K Suzuki homered to left, D Johnson, J Hannahan and D Barton scored. S Stewart grounded out to second. M Scutaro singled to right. R Feierabend relieved H Ramirez. N Swisher struck out swinging. (5 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 5, SEATTLE 0. SEATTLE 7TH: N Swisher in right field. K Thompson in center field. B Broussard singled to left center. J Vidro doubled to left, B Broussard to third. K Johjima grounded out to second, B Broussard scored, J Vidro to third. J Lopez grounded out to second, J Vidro scored. Y Betancourt singled to right. I Suzuki singled to center, Y Betancourt to second, Y Betancourt to third on error by center fielder K Thompson. A Beltre grounded out to first. (2 Runs, 4 Hits, 1 Error) OAKLAND 5, SEATTLE 2. SEATTLE 8TH: A Embree relieved J Blanton. R Ibanez flied out to left. J Guillen homered to center. A Jones hit for B Broussard. A Jones popped out to second. J Vidro walked. H Street relieved A Embree. K Johjima grounded out to pitcher. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 5, SEATTLE 3. OAKLAND 9TH: M Morse at first base. B Morrow relieved G Sherrill. S Stewart reached on infield single to third. S Stewart caught stealing second, catcher to second. M Scutaro walked. N Swisher singled to right, M Scutaro to third. M Piazza hit for K Thompson. M Piazza fouled out to first. N Swisher stole second. M Ellis walked. R Rowland-Smith relieved B Morrow. D Johnson homered to right, M Scutaro, N Swisher and M Ellis scored. J Hannahan doubled to deep center. D Barton lined out to left. (4 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 9, SEATTLE 3.</div>
Suzuki, Johnson deliver Blanton 13th win in grand fashion <h3>OAKLAND 9, SEATTLE 3</h3>By Paul Lowenberg PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer SEATTLE (Ticker) -- Kurt Suzuki and Dan Johnson hit grandslams and Joe Blanton worked seven strong innings as OaklandAthletics handed the Seattle Mariners another blow to theirdwindling wild card hopes with a 5-3 victory Monday night. The win snapped a three-game A's losing streak and was theMariners 14th defeat in their last 16 games. Seattle (75-67)fell to 5 1/2 games behind the New York Yankees (81-62) in theAmerican League wild card chase. Suzuki's first career grand slam helped give Blanton (13-9), now4-0 against the Mariners at Safeco field, a 5-0 cushion in thesecond inning. Johnson's 15th homer of the season in the ninth off RyanRowland-Smith extended a 5-3 lead and capped the scoring. Blanton carried a shutout into the seventh before the Marinersscored twice. Ben Broussard singled and Jose Vidro doubled himto third. Both runners scored on consecutive ground outs byKenji Johjima and Jose Lopez. Yuniesky Betancourt singled and took third when center fielderKevin Thompson misplayed Ichiro Suzuki's single for an error.But Blanton finally got Adrian Beltre to ground out to firstafter a 12-pitch at-bat. Blanton allowed just two runs and eight hits with a walk and astrikeout. Jose Guillen blasted his 20th home run of the season in theeighth off Athletics reliever Alan Embree. Huston Streetrecorded the last four outs to record his 13th save. Oakland chased Seattle starter Horacio Ramirez (8-6) after just1 2/3 innings for his shortest start of the year. Mark Ellissingled with one out in the second inning and Ramirez walkedJohnson to set the stage for Jack Hannahan's run-scoring single. Daric Barton, making his major league debut at first base afterbeing purchased by Class AAA Sacramento prior to the game, drewa walk and Suzuki belted an 0-1 offering from Ramirez over theleft field fence for his seventh homer of the year. Barton finished with a double, single, a pair of walks and a runscored. The A's lost the opportunity for another run in the seventh whenJack Cust, who had struck out three times, drew a walk andpinch runner Thompson was thrown out at the plate trying toscore on Ellis' double to left.
AL: OAKLAND at SEATTLE <div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ OAKLAND (9) AT SEATTLE (3) - EVENT LOG ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Oakland Starting Lineups -- S Stewart LF, M Scutaro SS, N Swisher CF, J Cust RF, M Ellis 2B, D Johnson DH, J Hannahan 3B, D Barton 1B, K Suzuki C, J Blanton RHP. Seattle Starting Lineups -- I Suzuki CF, A Beltre 3B, R Ibanez LF, J Guillen RF, B Broussard 1B, J Vidro DH, K Johjima C, J Lopez 2B, Y Betancourt SS, H Ramirez LHP. Umpires -- Bruce Dreckman (HP), Chris Guccione (1B), Phil Cuzzi (2B), Tom Hallion (3B). Gametime Weather: 79 degrees, Clear, wind left to right at 2 mph. OAKLAND 1ST: S Stewart lined out to shortstop. M Scutaro grounded out to shortstop. N Swisher flied out to right. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 0, SEATTLE 0. SEATTLE 1ST: I Suzuki lined out to second. A Beltre struck out swinging. R Ibanez grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 0, SEATTLE 0. OAKLAND 2ND: J Cust struck out looking. M Ellis singled to left. D Johnson walked, M Ellis to second. J Hannahan singled to left, M Ellis scored, D Johnson to second. D Barton walked, D Johnson to third, J Hannahan to second. K Suzuki homered to left, D Johnson, J Hannahan and D Barton scored. S Stewart grounded out to second. M Scutaro singled to right. R Feierabend relieved H Ramirez. N Swisher struck out swinging. (5 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 5, SEATTLE 0. SEATTLE 2ND: J Guillen flied out to right. B Broussard singled to right center. J Vidro grounded into fielder's choice to first, B Broussard out at second. K Johjima grounded out to first. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 5, SEATTLE 0. OAKLAND 3RD: J Cust struck out looking. M Ellis reached on infield single to third. D Johnson singled to right, M Ellis to second. J Hannahan flied out to left. D Barton walked, M Ellis to third, D Johnson to second. K Suzuki grounded into fielder's choice to third, D Johnson out at third. (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 5, SEATTLE 0. SEATTLE 3RD: J Lopez grounded out to second. Y Betancourt singled to left. I Suzuki grounded into double play, second to shortstop to first, Y Betancourt out at second.(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 5, SEATTLE 0. OAKLAND 4TH: S Stewart popped out to first. M Scutaro lined out to second. N Swisher struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 5, SEATTLE 0. SEATTLE 4TH: A Beltre grounded out to shortstop. R Ibanez walked. J Guillen hit by pitch, R Ibanez to second. B Broussard lined out to right. J Vidro grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 5, SEATTLE 0. OAKLAND 5TH: J Cust struck out swinging. M Ellis grounded out to shortstop. D Johnson struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 5, SEATTLE 0. SEATTLE 5TH: K Johjima grounded out to shortstop. J Lopez singled to left center. Y Betancourt grounded into double play, third to second to first, J Lopez out at second.(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 5, SEATTLE 0. OAKLAND 6TH: J Hannahan grounded out to second. D Barton doubled to deep right center. K Suzuki popped out to second. S Stewart popped out to first. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 5, SEATTLE 0. SEATTLE 6TH: I Suzuki reached on infield single to second. A Beltre flied out to right. R Ibanez fouled out to third. J Guillen fouled out to second. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 5, SEATTLE 0. OAKLAND 7TH: M Scutaro flied out to right. N Swisher grounded out to shortstop. J Cust walked. K Thompson ran for J Cust. M Ellis doubled to left, K Thompson thrown out at home. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 5, SEATTLE 0. SEATTLE 7TH: N Swisher in right field. K Thompson in center field. B Broussard singled to left center. J Vidro doubled to left, B Broussard to third. K Johjima grounded out to second, B Broussard scored, J Vidro to third. J Lopez grounded out to second, J Vidro scored. Y Betancourt singled to right. I Suzuki singled to center, Y Betancourt to second, Y Betancourt to third on error by center fielder K Thompson. A Beltre grounded out to first. (2 Runs, 4 Hits, 1 Error) OAKLAND 5, SEATTLE 2. OAKLAND 8TH: G Sherrill relieved R Feierabend. D Johnson fouled out to third. J Hannahan struck out swinging. D Barton singled to deep right. K Suzuki struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 5, SEATTLE 2. SEATTLE 8TH: A Embree relieved J Blanton. R Ibanez flied out to left. J Guillen homered to center. A Jones hit for B Broussard. A Jones popped out to second. J Vidro walked. H Street relieved A Embree. K Johjima grounded out to pitcher. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 5, SEATTLE 3. OAKLAND 9TH: M Morse at first base. B Morrow relieved G Sherrill. S Stewart reached on infield single to third. S Stewart caught stealing second, catcher to second. M Scutaro walked. N Swisher singled to right, M Scutaro to third. M Piazza hit for K Thompson. M Piazza fouled out to first. N Swisher stole second. M Ellis walked. R Rowland-Smith relieved B Morrow. D Johnson homered to right, M Scutaro, N Swisher and M Ellis scored. J Hannahan doubled to deep center. D Barton lined out to left. (4 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 9, SEATTLE 3. SEATTLE 9TH: J DaVanon in center field. J Reed hit for J Lopez. J Reed singled to center. J Clement hit for Y Betancourt. J Clement flied out to left. I Suzuki struck out swinging. J Reed to second on fielder's indifference. A Beltre grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) OAKLAND 9, SEATTLE 3.</div>
Suzuki, Johnson deliver Blanton 13th win in grand fashion <h3>OAKLAND 9, SEATTLE 3</h3>By Paul Lowenberg PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer SEATTLE (Ticker) -- Kurt Suzuki and Dan Johnson hit grandslams and Joe Blanton worked seven strong innings as OaklandAthletics handed the Seattle Mariners another blow to theirdwindling wild card hopes with a 9-3 victory Monday night. The win snapped a three-game A's losing streak and was theMariners 14th defeat in their last 16 games. Seattle (75-67)fell to 5 1/2 games behind the New York Yankees (81-62) in theAmerican League wild card chase. Suzuki's first career grand slam helped give Blanton (13-9), now4-0 against the Mariners at Safeco field, a 5-0 cushion in thesecond inning. Johnson's 15th homer of the season in the ninth off RyanRowland-Smith extended a 5-3 lead and capped the scoring. Blanton carried a shutout into the seventh before the Marinersscored twice. Ben Broussard singled and Jose Vidro doubled himto third. Both runners scored on consecutive ground outs byKenji Johjima and Jose Lopez. Yuniesky Betancourt singled and took third when center fielderKevin Thompson misplayed Ichiro Suzuki's single for an error.But Blanton finally got Adrian Beltre to ground out to firstafter a 12-pitch at-bat. Blanton allowed just two runs and eight hits with a walk and astrikeout. Jose Guillen blasted his 20th home run of the season in theeighth off Athletics reliever Alan Embree. Huston Streetrecorded the last four outs to record his 13th save. Oakland chased Seattle starter Horacio Ramirez (8-6) after just1 2/3 innings for his shortest start of the year. Mark Ellissingled with one out in the second inning and Ramirez walkedJohnson to set the stage for Jack Hannahan's run-scoring single. Daric Barton, making his major league debut at first base afterbeing purchased by Class AAA Sacramento prior to the game, drewa walk and Suzuki belted an 0-1 offering from Ramirez over theleft field fence for his seventh homer of the year. Barton finished with a double, single, a pair of walks and a runscored. The A's lost the opportunity for another run in the seventh whenJack Cust, who had struck out three times, drew a walk andpinch runner Thompson was thrown out at the plate trying toscore on Ellis' double to left.
Suzuki, Johnson deliver Blanton 13th win in grand fashion <h3>OAKLAND 9, SEATTLE 3</h3>By Paul Lowenberg PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer SEATTLE (Ticker) - Kurt Suzuki and Dan Johnson hit grand slamsand Joe Blanton worked seven strong innings as the OaklandAthletics handed the Seattle Mariners another blow to theirdwindling wild card hopes with a 9-3 victory Monday night. The win snapped a three-game A's losing streak and was theMariners' 14th defeat in their last 16 games. Seattle (75-67)fell 5 1/2 games behind the New York Yankees (81-62) in theAmerican League wild card chase. Suzuki's first career grand slam helped give Blanton (13-9), now4-0 against the Mariners at Safeco field, a 5-0 cushion in thesecond inning. Johnson's 15th homer of the season in the ninth off RyanRowland-Smith extended a 5-3 lead and capped the scoring. "The offense did a great job of getting me an early lead,"Blanton said. "I just threw my game and got a lot of balls inplay." Blanton carried a shutout into the seventh before the Marinersscored twice. Ben Broussard singled and Jose Vidro doubled himto third. Both runners scored on consecutive groundouts byKenji Johjima and Jose Lopez. Yuniesky Betancourt singled and took third when center fielderKevin Thompson misplayed Ichiro Suzuki's single for an error.But Blanton finally got Adrian Beltre to ground out to firstafter a 12-pitch at-bat. "It was a tough battle that he (Blanton) ended up winning,"Athletics manager Bob Geren said. "He did a heck of a job." Blanton allowed just two runs and eight hits with a walk and astrikeout. Jose Guillen blasted his 20th home run of the season in theeighth off Athletics reliever Alan Embree. Huston Streetrecorded the last four outs to record his 13th save. Oakland chased Seattle starter Horacio Ramirez (8-6) after just1 2/3 innings - his shortest start of the year. Mark Ellissingled with one out in the second inning and Ramirez walkedJohnson to set the stage for Jack Hannahan's run-scoring single. Daric Barton, making his major league debut at first base afterhis contract was purchased from Class AAA Sacramento prior tothe game, drew a walk and Kurt Suzuki belted an 0-1 offeringfrom Ramirez over the left field fence for his seventh homer ofthe year. Barton finished with a double, single, a pair of walks and a runscored. Even though Ramirez, who fell to 6-2 at home, had a roughouting, Mariners manager John McLaren was somewhat forgiving ofhis struggling starter. "If you go back over his games, it's just a pitch here or thereand this was the case," McLaren said. "I thought in the firstinning he really came out and looked great. He was throwing theball well, he was crisp and went right at the hitters. Itturned on him pretty quick." But Ramirez, whose ERA rose to 6.80, was not as forgiving ofhimself. "There are no excuses, no nothing," Ramirez said. "I didn'tmake the pitch in a big situation and he (Suzuki) hit it out ofthe ballpark." Meanwhile, Geren was more than pleased with the play of his newfirst baseman. "Obviously, Daric Barton's debut was all you could ask for withtwo tremendous at-bats where he ended up walking, he got hisdouble, he had a hard-hit ball down the line for a single and aline out to left," Geren said. "A great debut from a guy we'veheard a lot about who's going to be a really nice hitter. Helooked all the part tonight." The A's lost the opportunity for another run in the seventh whenJack Cust, who had struck out three times, drew a walk andpinch runner Thompson was thrown out at the plate trying toscore on Ellis' double to left.
