Oakland, CA (Sports Network) - Coco Crisp finished a triple shy of the cycle
and scored three times, as the Oakland Athletics downed the Seattle Mariners,
8-2, in the opener of a three-game set on Friday.
Crisp clubbed a leadoff home run in the first, while Stephen Drew added a
two-run shot for the A's, who hold a two-game lead over the Los Angeles
Angels of Anaheim for the final AL wild card spot.
Oakland also moved within three games of Texas for the top spot in the AL West
after the Rangers fell to the Angels on Friday.
A.J. Griffin (7-1) allowed one run on four hits and two walks over 5 2/3
frames to help the A's earn their fifth straight victory against Seattle.
Trayvon Robinson and Michael Saunders each smacked a solo shot, while Blake
Beavan (10-11) was tagged with the loss after giving up four runs -- three
earned -- on four hits and two walks over 4 2/3 innings.
The Sports Network