The Seattle Mariners were once again unable to open a potential spoiler series with a win. On Friday night, they dropped the first game in a three-game series against the Oakland Athletics by a final score of 8-2.
Coco Crisp led off the bottom of the first with a home run to give the A's an early lead. Trayvon Robinson answered back with a solo homer of his own in the top of the second to tie things up.
Oakland went back ahead in the bottom of the third with another home run, this time a two-run shot from Stephen Drew. Brandon Moss added an RBI groundout in the bottom of the fifth to make it 4-1 Athletics.
The Mariners loaded the bases with two outs for Justin Smoak in the top of the sixth inning, but Smoak hit a fly ball out to right field to end the threat.
Michael Saunders led off the top of the seventh with his 18th home run of the season to cut the Oakland lead to two runs. The A's were able to get that run back in the bottom of the seventh when Stephen Pryor issued a bases-loaded walk to Yoenis Cespedes. Another run came home on a fielding error by Dustin Ackley and Josh Donaldson drove in a pair of runs with a single to make it 8-2 A's and firmly put the game out of reach.
The Mariners showed signs of life in the top of the ninth as Smoak led off the inning with a single and Saunders followed up with a walk. Robinson then struck out and Brendan Ryan and Ackley both popped out in foul territory to end the rally and the game.