ATHLETICS 4, MARINERS 1: Bartolo Colon tossed eight solid innings and Cuban defector Yoenis Cespedes belted a two-run homer in the seventh as Oakland salvaged a split with its American League West rival at the Tokyo Dome.
Josh Reddick and Jonny Gomes also went deep for the Athletics, who rebounded from a 3-1 loss in 11 innings in Wednesday's season opener.
The offense was more than enough for Colon (1-0), who retired the first 13 batters he faced before working out of a bases-loaded jam in the fifth inning. Colon allowed one run on three hits and struck out six before giving way to Grant Balfour, who retired the side in order in the ninth for his first save.
Japanese star Ichiro Suzuki went 0-for-4 with one strikeout, one day removed from going 4-for-5 with an RBI single.
After Justin Smoak blasted an opposite-field homer to lead off the top of the seventh, Cespedes answered with a line-drive shot of his own. Signed to a four-year, $36 million deal in the offseason, Cespedes deposited a slider from reliever Shawn Kelley (0-1) over the wall in center field for his first major-league home run.
Kelley had come on in relief of Jason Vargas, who handcuffed the Athletics by scattering two hits and striking out three over 6 1/3 innings.
George Sherrill relieved Kelley and promptly allowed a solo homer to Reddick to cap the three-run frame.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Seattle outfielder Mike Carp was placed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday after suffering a sprained right shoulder during the season opener. The team recalled outfielder Carlos Peguero from Triple-A Tacoma. ... Mariners shortstop Brendan Ryan proposed to his longtime girlfriend on Tuesday, with the help of Major League Baseball. The league provided a fake "tour guide" to assist Ryan, who asked Sharyn in Japanese, "Will you marry me?" while atop the Sky Deck of Mori Tower. Upon learning the translation, she said yes.
Seattle | Oakland | |
Jason Vargas | Player | Bartolo Colon |
No Decision | W/L | Win |
6.1 | IP | 8.0 |
3 | Strikeouts | 6 |
2 | Hits | 3 |
1.42 | ERA | 1.12 |
Seattle | Oakland | |
Jesus Montero | Player | Josh Reddick |
1 | Hits | 2 |
0 | RBI | 1 |
0 | HR | 1 |
1 | TB | 6 |
.333 | Avg | .667 |