By CHRIS TALBOTT (Associated Press)
SEATTLE (AP) — Rookie starter Joey Estes had five hits in five solid innings after being called up for his first major league win earlier within the day, and the Oakland Athletics beat the Seattle Mariners 8-1 on Saturday night.
Abraham Toro and Brent Rooker hit two-run, run-scoring singles within the third inning to provide Oakland a 2-1 lead. Max Schuemann added a three-run double within the eighth and JJ Bleday hit a two-run home run within the ninth as Oakland snapped a two-game losing streak. The A's had lost five of six after a six-game winning streak.
Estes took a liner off his right bicep from Julio Rodríguez in the primary inning, but collected the ball for the primary pitch and waved to the coach as he took the mound back.
“They knew he was locked up when Julio's line drive lost his biceps, and I didn't realize it,” said A's manager Mark Kotsay. “That kid, I don't know how to describe him really. You do a line drive like that from your biceps, and if the trainers don't come out, you don't want it to be recognized. He got into the dugout and when we finally got to him he was already swollen.”
Cal Raleigh hit his tenth home run, a solo shot within the second inning that gave Seattle a 1-0 lead. But Estes calmed down and after that it was all about athletics.
The A's starters had allowed 55 runs within the last six games, including an 8-1 loss to the Mariners on Friday night, before Estes (1-0) was called up to switch fifth starter Joe Boyle (back injury). He gave up two hits and didn't rating on 61 pitches.
“This is great,” Estes said after a little bit of bullying within the shower room. “I've worked my whole life to be able to say I got a win, so I'll definitely cherish that.”
Bryce Miller (3-3) threw nine strikeouts and allowed five hits, but began the costly third inning with certainly one of his two walks to Lawrence Butler. The speedy right fielder moved to second on Brett Harris' single and scored on Toro's single to right field. Rooker's shot to the correct gave Harris a 2-1 lead.
The Mariners had beaten the A's in 13 of their last 14 games for the reason that start of the 2023 season. They have lost three of their last 4 and 4 of six. Seattle had gone 12-1 in Miller's last 13 good starts.
Relievers Mitch Spence, Austin Adams, Lucas Erceg and Michael Kelly combined to provide up one hit in the ultimate 4 innings. Seattle had just three hits and left only one runner on base.
“Early in the series, Oakland improved significantly,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said. “They have a different ball club. They’ve strengthened their bullpen and they have guys who can put the ball in play.”
SCHUEMANN'S REVENGE
The Mariners intentionally walked Shea Langeliers to get to Schuemann within the eighth and cargo the bases for the shortstop.
“Of course I was a little upset,” said Schuemann. “I saw it as a kind of motivational thing. On my first swing, I made as much swing as I could, you know? And then I thought, “Okay, I need to calm down.”
He then sent the ball into the left field corner to place the play out of reach.
RALEIGH'S BIG BAT
Raleigh is the primary AL catcher to hit 10 or more home runs in his team's first 40 games since Jorge Posada of the Yankees in 2003. Three NL catchers have achieved this feat in the identical time-frame.
Squad changes
The A's optioned LHP Easton Lucas to Triple-A Las Vegas once they recalled Estes to begin.
NEXT
Athletics: LHP Alex Wood (1-2, 5.30) ends the series. He is 1-0 with a 1.72 ERA in his last three starts.
Mariners: RHP Luis Castillo (3-5, 3.54) is first within the AL and fourth within the majors with 56 strikeouts.
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