Josh Reddick and Yoenis Cespedes both hit two- run home runs and the Oakland Athletics defeated the Seattle Mariners, 8-2, on Thursday.
Reddick finished with four RBI, while John Jaso and Nate Freiman knocked in a run apiece for the Athletics, who earned a split of this four-game series with back-to-back wins. Oakland starter A.J. Griffin (1-0) allowed two runs on seven hits over six innings.
"So far, so good," said shortstop Jed Lowrie. "We turned it on the last two games, played much better as a team. I think that was the most evident thing as compared to the last two games."
Brandon Maurer (0-1) made his major league debut for the Mariners and had a mixed performance. He threw 74 pitches over six innings, but gave up six runs on eight hits.
"I think just having the first one (start) underneath his belt, just knowing he's into his routine and he has something to work off of now," said Mariners manager Eric Wedge. "He went through some initial feelings that I'm sure he hasn't had before. These are all good things."
Michael Morse hit a solo shot and Michael Saunders had an RBI for Seattle, which was 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position.
Reddick hit a home run with one out in the first inning, scoring Coco Crisp, who had a leadoff single.
In the top of the fifth, Griffin gave up singles to Dustin Ackley and Kelly Shoppach. Robert Andino advanced the runners with a sacrifice bunt and Saunders then hit a sacrifice fly to left.
In the bottom of the inning, Chris Young had a leadoff double. With Jaso at the plate, Maurer threw a wild pitch that allowed Young to reach third base. Two pitches later, Jaso singled and Young scored easily.
Morse homered to lead off the sixth and close the gap to 3-2.
Lowrie hit a one-out double in the bottom of the inning, and Reddick followed that with a double of his own, allowing Lowrie to score. Cespedes then hit a home run on a 2-1 count to give the Athletics a 6-2 lead.
In the eighth, after a leadoff single by Crisp and a double by Lowrie, Reddick hit a sac fly to center, bringing Crisp to the plate and Lowrie to third. Freiman's sac fly scored Lowrie.
Game Notes
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