Athletics hammer Mariners 8-1 in Seattle

Schuemann knock seals the deal

The Oakland Athletics faced off against the Mariners in game two of the 3-game series today at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. The A’s hope to rebound after yesterday’s 8-1 loss. Joey Estes was recalled today from the AAA Las Vegas Aviators squad to make the start against Bryce Miller for the Mariners.

Cal Raleigh got the scoring started with a towering homer on the first pitch of the second inning by Estes. That was Raleigh’s tenth homer of the young season. The A’s answered in the top of the third when Lawrence Butler walked, and Brett Harris singled. Abraham Toro singled to score Butler easily from second. Brent Rooker singled to score Harris bringing the score to 2-1 in favor of the A’s.

Tyler Soderstrom flashed serious leather at first base with a leaping catch of a Luke Raley liner for the first out of the Mariners third. Estes took care of the rest. Brett Harris made an equally impressive snag on a 100-mph liner down the line to open the fifth inning. Jorge Polanco followed that with a double to center field. But Estes refocused and worked his way out of the jam.

With one out in the top of the sixth, Tyler Soderstrom doubled off the center field wall. It was only the fifth hit off Miller for the game. Unfortunately, he was stranded there when the inning ended. Kotsay ended Estes night sending Mitch Spence to pitch the bottom of the sixth. Estes 2024 debut was impressive, allowing only two hits, one earned run, with no walks and five strikeouts. He left in line for the win.

Ryne Stanek replaced Miller in the top of the seventh inning. The A’s went quietly. Austin Adams replaced Spence in the bottom of the seventh. Adams sent the Mariners down 1-2-3. Stanek came out to pitch the eighth and was quickly greeted by a Tyler Nevin double. Gabe Speier replaced Stanek. JJ Bleday sacrificed Nevin to third and then Nevin was replaced by pinch runner Esteury Ruiz. Brent Rooker walked. J.D. Davis pinch hit for Tyler Soderstrom. Davis struck out swinging and then with two outs the Mariners walked pinch hitter Shea Langeliers. Max Schuemann doubled to clear the bases. Langeliers showed his speed scoring from first. His run gave the A’s a 5-1 lead.

Lucas Erceg replaced Adams in the bottom of the eighth inning. Harris made two of the three outs at third in the inning, both showing his skill and agility. Brett Harris walked to start the ninth inning. Abraham Toro singled, and in Ruiz’ first at-bat of the night, sacrificed the two runners over. Harris scored on a wild pitch, and JJ Bleday homered to deep right field scoring Toro and bringing the score to 8-1.

Mason Miller had been warming up at the start of the inning even though it wasn’t a save situation, but the additional three runs changed Kotsay’s mind and instead, Michael Kelly came in to pitch the ninth. The first two Mariners popped out to Ruiz who took over in left. Then Kelly struck out Julio Rodriguez to end the game.

Congratulations to Joey Estes on his first major league victory. The A’s go for yet another series win tomorrow at 1:10 PM from Seattle.