OAKLAND — The Mariners exploded for five runs in the first inning and coasted to a 7-1 win Thursday night at the Coliseum. Seattle was aided by a rare throwing error by Matt Chapman with the bases loaded and two outs, leading to three unearned runs before the A's even came up to bat.
Oakland starter Frankie Montas struggled early on, throwing 38 pitches in the first inning alone, allowing four hits and two walks in the frame. But he settled down to get through six innings, allowing four earned runs, and striking out four. Montas fell to 5-4 on the season.
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The loss drops Oakland to 80-55, now 4 1/2 games ahead of Seattle for the second American League Wild Card spot. The A's remain 2 1/2 games behind the Astros, who lost to the Angels.
Here's what else you need to know from Thursday's series opener...
--- Mariners starter Wade LeBlanc cruised through seven shutout innings, allowing just three hits. He struck out four and walked three, improving to 8-3 on the season, while lowering his ERA to 3.71.
--- Jed Lowrie drove in the A's only run on an RBI single in the eighth inning. His 84 RBI are a career high. Lowrie went 1-for-4 and is now slashing .274/.357/.472.
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--- Khris Davis continued to struggle at the plate, going 0-for-3 with a walk. Davis is now 0 for his last 17, and 1 for his last 31. He is still tied for the MLB lead with 39 home runs, and is second with 103 RBI, but his batting average has dipped to .248.
--- J.B. Wendelken, called up earlier in the day from Triple-A Nashville, tossed three shutout innings in relief, allowing just one hit and striking out three. Wendelken lowered his ERA to 1.04.