Apr 6, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics DH Brandon Moss (37) is congratulated at the play by Oakland Athletics third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) after Moss hit a three run home run off Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Erasmo Ramirez (50) during the third inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports
Sonny Grayshook off some early defensive misadventures by the Oakland Athletics andBrandon Mosscrushed a game-tying three-run homer in the third inning as the A’s earned a split in their rain-shortened series with the Seattle Mariners with a 6-3 win Sunday at O.co Coliseum.
The Mariners picked up two unearned runs in the top of the second afterDaric Bartoncouldn’t come up with the ball cleanly while trying to get a force play at second base. Instead of a possible double play, the Mariners (4-2) had two on and one out.Abraham AlmonteandBrad Millerstroked back-to-back two-out singles to put the M’s up 2-0.
Seattle made it 3-0 in the third.Robinson Canoled off the inning with a double to center, moved up to third on a wild pitch and scored whenJustin Smoakflared a single to short center field.
The A’s (3-3) struck back against Seattle starterErasmo Ramirez(1-1) in the third.Eric Sogardled off the inning with a single, but was forced at second on a grounder byJosh Donaldson. With two outsJed Lowrielined a single up the middle and Moss tied the game with a blast to right-center field for his first homer of the season.
Oakland forged ahead in the fifth. Once again, Sogard started the inning with a single and then stole second base.Coco Crispworked a walk and Ramirez uncorked a wild pitch to put runners at second and third. Donaldson reached on an infield single to Cano that scored Sogard to make it 4-3 Oakland, ending the day for Ramirez.
Jed Lowrie hit a fly ball to center off relieverChris Youngthat was deep enough to score Crisp, but Donaldson was thrown out trying to move up to second base.
The A’s added a run in the eighth onYoenis Cespedes’ first homer of the season.
Gray (1-0) allowed three runs, one earned, on six hits and two walks in six innings, striking out three.
Gray also benefitted from some good fortune, as evidenced by this ball theKyle Seagersmoked down the first-base line. Instead of extra bases into the corner, the ball hit the bag and ricocheted right to Gray, who outraced Seager to the bag for an unassisted putout.
Luke Gregersonallowed a hit and fanned one in the seventh,Sean Doolittleworked a 1-2-3 eighth andJim Johnsonrecorded his first save for the A’s despite allowing a hit and a walk in the ninth. He struck out two, gettingMike Zuninoand Almonte on called third strikes to end it.
Sogard was 3-for-3 on the day, raising his average to .300. He had a double in the seventh.
The A’s now hit the road for the first time this season, heading to Minneapolis to play the Twins Monday at 1:10 p.m. Pacific.Scott Kazmir(1-0, 0.00 ERA) is scheduled to start for the A’s, withKevin Correia(0-0, 3.00 ERA) slated to pitch for the Twins in their home opener.
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