GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: AL: SEATTLE (80-70) at OAKLAND (74-79)

AL: SEATTLE at OAKLAND

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SEATTLE (9) AT OAKLAND (5) - HOW THEY SCORED
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SEATTLE 1ST: I Suzuki walked. J Lopez fouled out to third. R Ibanez
tripled to deep left center, I Suzuki scored. J Guillen singled to left,
R Ibanez scored. A Beltre grounded into fielder's choice to third, J Guillen
out at second. J Vidro fouled out to first. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors)
SEATTLE 2, OAKLAND 0.

SEATTLE 2ND: A Jones singled to center. A Jones to second on wild pitch by
D Meyer. J Burke singled to left center, A Jones scored. Y Betancourt doubled
to left, J Burke scored, Y Betancourt to third advancing on throw. I Suzuki
hit sacrifice fly to center, Y Betancourt scored. J Lopez fouled out to first.
R Ibanez flied out to left. (3 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) SEATTLE 5, OAKLAND 0.

OAKLAND 2ND: J Hannahan singled to left. M Scutaro grounded into fielder's
choice to shortstop, J Hannahan out at second. R Bowen walked, M Scutaro to
second. J DaVanon reached on infield single to pitcher, M Scutaro to third,
R Bowen to second, M Scutaro scored, R Bowen to third on throwing error by
pitcher F Hernandez. S Stewart lined into double play, second to first,
J DaVanon doubled off first.(1 Run, 2 Hits, 1 Error) SEATTLE 5, OAKLAND 1.

OAKLAND 3RD: D Barton singled to center. J Cust grounded out to second,
D Barton to second. D Johnson grounded out to second, D Barton to third.
M Ellis singled to left, D Barton scored. J Hannahan doubled to deep left,
M Ellis scored. M Scutaro grounded out to pitcher. (2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors)
SEATTLE 5, OAKLAND 3.

OAKLAND 5TH: J Cust homered to center. D Johnson grounded out to second.
M Ellis struck out looking. J Hannahan walked. M Scutaro grounded into
fielder's choice to shortstop, J Hannahan out at second. (1 Run, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) SEATTLE 5, OAKLAND 4.

SEATTLE 6TH: J Vidro grounded out to third. A Jones grounded out to third.
J Burke doubled to right. Y Betancourt singled to left, J Burke scored,
Y Betancourt to second advancing on throw. I Suzuki intentionally walked.
J Lopez flied out to right. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) SEATTLE 6, OAKLAND 4.

SEATTLE 7TH: J Blevins relieved R Lugo. R Ibanez singled to center.
J Guillen flied out to right. A Beltre struck out swinging. J Vidro singled
to center, R Ibanez to second. A Jones reached on infield single to shortstop,
R Ibanez to third, J Vidro to second. J Burke walked, R Ibanez scored, J Vidro
to third, A Jones to second. A Brown relieved J Blevins. Y Betancourt flied
out to left. (1 Run, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) SEATTLE 7, OAKLAND 4.

OAKLAND 8TH: J Huber relieved R Rowland-Smith. M Scutaro walked. R Bowen
walked, M Scutaro to second. M Piazza hit for J DaVanon. S Green relieved
J Huber. M Piazza walked, M Scutaro to third, R Bowen to second. K Thompson
ran for M Piazza. S Stewart hit sacrifice fly to center, M Scutaro scored.
G Sherrill relieved S Green. D Barton fouled out to first. J Cust walked,
R Bowen to third, K Thompson to second. D Johnson struck out swinging. (1 Run,
0 Hits, 0 Errors) SEATTLE 7, OAKLAND 5.

SEATTLE 9TH: K Thompson in center field. H Street relieved A Brown. J Vidro
struck out looking. A Jones safe at second on error by right fielder J Cust.
J Burke struck out swinging, A Jones stole third. Y Betancourt singled to
center, A Jones scored. Y Betancourt stole second. I Suzuki singled to left,
Y Betancourt scored. J Lopez singled to left, I Suzuki to second. R Ibanez
struck out looking. (2 Runs, 3 Hits, 1 Error) SEATTLE 9, OAKLAND 5.</div>

 

AL: SEATTLE at OAKLAND

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SEATTLE (9) AT OAKLAND (5) - EVENT LOG
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Seattle Starting Lineups -- I Suzuki CF, J Lopez 2B, R Ibanez DH, J Guillen RF,
A Beltre 3B, J Vidro 1B, A Jones LF, J Burke C, Y Betancourt SS, F Hernandez RHP.

Oakland Starting Lineups -- S Stewart LF, D Barton 1B, J Cust RF, D Johnson DH,
M Ellis 2B, J Hannahan 3B, M Scutaro SS, R Bowen C, J DaVanon CF, D Meyer LHP.

Umpires -- Sam Holbrook (HP), Randy Marsh (1B), Bob Davidson (2B),
Hunter Wendelstedt (3B).

Gametime Weather: 63 degrees, Partly Cloudy, wind out to right at 22 mph.


SEATTLE 1ST: I Suzuki walked. J Lopez fouled out to third. R Ibanez
tripled to deep left center, I Suzuki scored. J Guillen singled to left,
R Ibanez scored. A Beltre grounded into fielder's choice to third, J Guillen
out at second. J Vidro fouled out to first. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors)
SEATTLE 2, OAKLAND 0.

OAKLAND 1ST: S Stewart lined out to third. D Barton popped out to catcher.
J Cust walked. D Johnson singled to right, J Cust to second. M Ellis
grounded into fielder's choice to third, J Cust out at third. (0 Runs, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) SEATTLE 2, OAKLAND 0.

SEATTLE 2ND: A Jones singled to center. A Jones to second on wild pitch by
D Meyer. J Burke singled to left center, A Jones scored. Y Betancourt doubled
to left, J Burke scored, Y Betancourt to third advancing on throw. I Suzuki
hit sacrifice fly to center, Y Betancourt scored. J Lopez fouled out to first.
R Ibanez flied out to left. (3 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) SEATTLE 5, OAKLAND 0.

OAKLAND 2ND: J Hannahan singled to left. M Scutaro grounded into fielder's
choice to shortstop, J Hannahan out at second. R Bowen walked, M Scutaro to
second. J DaVanon reached on infield single to pitcher, M Scutaro to third,
R Bowen to second, M Scutaro scored, R Bowen to third on throwing error by
pitcher F Hernandez. S Stewart lined into double play, second to first,
J DaVanon doubled off first.(1 Run, 2 Hits, 1 Error) SEATTLE 5, OAKLAND 1.

SEATTLE 3RD: J Guillen fouled out to second. A Beltre flied out to right.
J Vidro flied out to center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) SEATTLE 5, OAKLAND 1.

OAKLAND 3RD: D Barton singled to center. J Cust grounded out to second,
D Barton to second. D Johnson grounded out to second, D Barton to third.
M Ellis singled to left, D Barton scored. J Hannahan doubled to deep left,
M Ellis scored. M Scutaro grounded out to pitcher. (2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors)
SEATTLE 5, OAKLAND 3.

SEATTLE 4TH: A Jones struck out swinging. J Burke popped out to second.
Y Betancourt singled to left. I Suzuki grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) SEATTLE 5, OAKLAND 3.

OAKLAND 4TH: R Bowen struck out looking. J DaVanon walked. S Stewart
flied out to right. D Barton struck out looking. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
SEATTLE 5, OAKLAND 3.

SEATTLE 5TH: J Lopez popped out to second. R Ibanez struck out swinging.
J Guillen walked. R Lugo relieved D Meyer. A Beltre grounded into fielder's
choice to shortstop, J Guillen out at second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
SEATTLE 5, OAKLAND 3.

OAKLAND 5TH: J Cust homered to center. D Johnson grounded out to second.
M Ellis struck out looking. J Hannahan walked. M Scutaro grounded into
fielder's choice to shortstop, J Hannahan out at second. (1 Run, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) SEATTLE 5, OAKLAND 4.

SEATTLE 6TH: J Vidro grounded out to third. A Jones grounded out to third.
J Burke doubled to right. Y Betancourt singled to left, J Burke scored,
Y Betancourt to second advancing on throw. I Suzuki intentionally walked.
J Lopez flied out to right. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) SEATTLE 6, OAKLAND 4.

OAKLAND 6TH: R Rowland-Smith relieved F Hernandez. R Bowen struck out
swinging. J DaVanon singled to center. S Stewart popped out to second.
D Barton struck out looking. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) SEATTLE 6, OAKLAND 4.

SEATTLE 7TH: J Blevins relieved R Lugo. R Ibanez singled to center.
J Guillen flied out to right. A Beltre struck out swinging. J Vidro singled
to center, R Ibanez to second. A Jones reached on infield single to shortstop,
R Ibanez to third, J Vidro to second. J Burke walked, R Ibanez scored, J Vidro
to third, A Jones to second. A Brown relieved J Blevins. Y Betancourt flied
out to left. (1 Run, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) SEATTLE 7, OAKLAND 4.

OAKLAND 7TH: J Cust walked. D Johnson fouled out to third. M Ellis popped
out to shortstop. J Hannahan grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits,
0 Errors) SEATTLE 7, OAKLAND 4.

SEATTLE 8TH: I Suzuki singled to left. J Lopez fouled out to third.
R Ibanez struck out swinging. J Guillen doubled to deep left, I Suzuki to
third. A Beltre struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) SEATTLE 7,
OAKLAND 4.

OAKLAND 8TH: J Huber relieved R Rowland-Smith. M Scutaro walked. R Bowen
walked, M Scutaro to second. M Piazza hit for J DaVanon. S Green relieved
J Huber. M Piazza walked, M Scutaro to third, R Bowen to second. K Thompson
ran for M Piazza. S Stewart hit sacrifice fly to center, M Scutaro scored.
G Sherrill relieved S Green. D Barton fouled out to first. J Cust walked,
R Bowen to third, K Thompson to second. D Johnson struck out swinging. (1 Run,
0 Hits, 0 Errors) SEATTLE 7, OAKLAND 5.

SEATTLE 9TH: K Thompson in center field. H Street relieved A Brown. J Vidro
struck out looking. A Jones safe at second on error by right fielder J Cust.
J Burke struck out swinging, A Jones stole third. Y Betancourt singled to
center, A Jones scored. Y Betancourt stole second. I Suzuki singled to left,
Y Betancourt scored. J Lopez singled to left, I Suzuki to second. R Ibanez
struck out looking. (2 Runs, 3 Hits, 1 Error) SEATTLE 9, OAKLAND 5.

OAKLAND 9TH: J Putz relieved G Sherrill. B Broussard at first base. M Ellis
grounded out to second. J Hannahan flied out to center. M Scutaro singled to
center. M Scutaro to second on fielder's indifference. R Bowen struck out
looking. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) SEATTLE 9, OAKLAND 5.</div>

 

Betancourt's three RBI help Mariners sweep Athletics

<h3>SEATTLE 9, OAKLAND 5</h3>By Tom Kent
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer


OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- The Seattle Mariners made theOakland Athletics pay for last season.


Yuniesky Betancourt drove in three runs and Ichiro Suzuki andJamie Burke had two RBI apiece as the Mariners completed athree-game sweep of the Athletics with 9-5 victory in the seasonfinale between the teams Wednesday.


Felix Hernandez battled through five innings for Seattle, whichcompleted a three-game sweep of Oakland. The Mariners also gotretribution for what the Athletics did to them in 2006.

Last season, Oakland posted a 17-2 record against Seattle,setting a club record for the most victories against anyopponent in a single season.


The Mariners were able to return the favor in 2007, finishingtheir season series against the defending American League WestDivision Champions with a 14-5 mark. The 14 victories are theirmost against the A's in one campaign.


Seattle also has taken eight games at McAfee Coliseum this year,a club record. The three-game sweep marked the Mariners' firstin Oakland since April 10-12, 2001.


For the Athletics, the 14 defeats at the hands of their divisionfoes is their highest total against any club since they alsodropped 14 to the Minnesota Twins in the 1973.


Seattle took a quick 2-0 lead in the first on an RBI triple byRaul Ibanez and a run-scoring single by Jose Guillen. TheMariners increased their lead in the second on a RBI base hit byBurke, followed by a run-scoring double by Betancourt.

Suzuki added a sacrifice fly in the frame for a 5-0 advantage.

Trailing, 5-3, in the fifth, Oakland got within one when JackCust deposited a 2-2 offering from Hernandez over theright-center field wall. It was Cust's team-leading 24th homerun of the season.


Hernandez (13-7) yielded four runs - three earned - and sevenhits while matching his season high of four walks. The21-year-old righthander entered with a 4-2 record and 1.96 ERA -his lowest against any team - in seven career starts againstOakland.


Ryan Rowland-Smith came on in the sixth, working two scorelessinnings before Jon Huber and Jerry Blevins loaded the bases andallowed a run in the eighth as the Athletics crawled within 7-5.However, George Sherrill - the third Seattle pitcher in theframe - avoided further damage, getting the last two outs of theinning.


The Mariners added two runs in the ninth on RBI singles byBetancourt and Suzuki before closer J.J. Putz worked a 1-2-3ninth to seal the win.


Dan Meyer (0-2), who was making just his third start since beingrecalled from Class AAA Sacramento on September 3, gave up fiveruns and six hits in 4 2/3 innings while walking two andstriking out two.


Mark Ellis, Jack Hannahan and Shannon Stewart each drove in arun for the Athletics, who fell to 74-80 and are in jeopardy ofposting their first losing season since 1998.

 

Betancourt's three RBI help Mariners sweep Athletics

<h3>SEATTLE 9, OAKLAND 5</h3>By Tom Kent
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer


OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- The Seattle Mariners made theOakland Athletics pay for last season.


Yuniesky Betancourt drove in three runs and Ichiro Suzuki andJamie Burke had two RBI apiece as the Mariners posted a 9-5victory over the Athletics in the season finale between theteams Wednesday.


Felix Hernandez battled through five innings for Seattle, whichcompleted a three-game sweep of Oakland. The Mariners also gotretribution for what the Athletics did to them in 2006.

Last season, Oakland posted a 17-2 record against Seattle,setting a club record for the most victories against anyopponent in a single season.


"We knew that coming into this season, we were going to have todo better against Oakland," Mariners manager John McLaren said."We've had a good year against them. It's always important toplay well in your division."


The Mariners were able to return the favor in 2007, finishingtheir season series against the defending American League WestDivision Champions with a 14-5 mark. The 14 victories are theirmost against the A's in one campaign.


"It's good to be able to beat Oakland," Burke said. "They'vehurt us in the past, and obviously, our goal is to win moregames against them than last year. This year, it has switchedup on us, though. It's Anaheim that has given us the troublethis year."


Seattle also has taken eight games at McAfee Coliseum this year,a club record. The three-game sweep marked the Mariners' firstin Oakland since April 10-12, 2001.


"We pieced it together and got the win," McLaren said. "Anytimeyou get a sweep here, you've done a real good job."

For the Athletics, the 14 defeats at the hands of their divisionfoes is their highest total against any club since they alsodropped 14 to the Minnesota Twins in the 1973.


Seattle took a quick 2-0 lead in the first on an RBI triple byRaul Ibanez and a run-scoring single by Jose Guillen. TheMariners increased their lead in the second on a RBI base hit byBurke, followed by a run-scoring double by Betancourt.

Suzuki added a sacrifice fly in the frame for a 5-0 advantage.

Trailing, 5-3, in the fifth, Oakland got within one when JackCust deposited a 2-2 offering from Hernandez over theright-center field wall. It was Cust's team-leading 24th homerun of the season.


Hernandez (13-7) yielded four runs - three earned - and sevenhits while matching his season high of four walks.

"My breaking ball was flat," Hernandez said. "I tried to throwmy breaking ball and the wind would just take it away. Mychange, too, it was tough. They gave me a five-run lead and Ijust tried to hang in there. My bullpen did a great job, too."

The 21-year-old righthander entered with a 4-2 record and 1.96ERA - his lowest against any team - in seven career startsagainst Oakland.


"Today, his pitches were just staying flat," Burke said. "Ithink the wind was just pushing his pitches. (Felix) figured itout and took a little bit off and was able to get through it."

Ryan Rowland-Smith came on in the sixth, working two scorelessinnings before Jon Huber and Jerry Blevins loaded the bases andallowed a run in the eighth as the Athletics crawled within 7-5.However, George Sherrill - the third Seattle pitcher in theframe - avoided further damage, getting the last two outs of theinning.


The Mariners added two runs in the ninth on RBI singles byBetancourt and Suzuki before closer J.J. Putz worked a 1-2-3ninth to seal the win.


Dan Meyer (0-2), who was making just his third start since beingrecalled from Class AAA Sacramento on September 3, gave up fiveruns and six hits in 4 2/3 innings while walking two andstriking out two.


"For me, I strive to keep us in the game and give us a chance towin," Meyer said. "We came out of the second inning down 5-0.All I could do from there was try and shut them down."

Mark Ellis, Jack Hannahan and Shannon Stewart each drove in arun for the Athletics, who fell to 74-80 and are in jeopardy ofposting their first losing season since 1998.