A's vs. Mariners: Oakland Drops Series Finale in Seattle 5-3
Eric Sogard's fifth inning three-run home run proved to be the A's only scoring as they fell in Seattle 5-3 to the Mariners.
A's starter Graham Godfrey struggled, allowing five runs (three earned) on six hits with a walk and three strikeouts in five innings. Even in spacious Safeco Field, Godfrey allowed two long balls, one to Brendan Ryan in the second and another to Justin Smoak in the third. Godfrey fell to 0-2 while Seattle starter Blake Beavan improved to 1-1.
Down 3-0 in the fifth, the A's rallied with a single by Kila Ka'aihue and catcher Anthony Recker was hit by a pitch. Sogard then homered to right field to tie the score.
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However, Godfrey allowed two runs in the bottom half of the inning, aided by a costly throwing error by Jemile Weeks. An Ichiro Suzuki double and Smoak RBI ground out concluded the scoring as both teams received excellent relief pitching from the bullpen. Brandon League recorded his fourth save in as many chances for the M's, who now lead the season series 5-2 over Oakland.ย
The Good: Kila Ka'aihue and Eric Sogard. Two guys who don't start regularly did most of the hitting for the A's today. Sogard's homer accounted for the only runs and Ka'aihue went 3-4, improving his batting average to .500 on the year. Why he does not start over Daric Barton is beyond me. Sogard appears to be a better option than Josh Donaldson who is out of position and scuffling at the plate.ย
The Bad: Oakland's 4-5-6 hitters. The trio were a collective 1-12 with three strikeouts, which just will not do it. It is beating a proverbial dead horse at this point, but the offense has been putrid.
The Ugly: Seth Smith. It seems a bit mean to single Smith out, but in four at-bats, he only saw eight pitches. Hacking is fine in situations. Today it did not seem like he had a game plan facing Beavan and it showed.ย
Now 4-6, the A's head south to Anaheim to face the Angels for a four-game series starting Monday. Brandon McCarthy will face Jered Weaver. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
