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08/14 00:29 CDT Lowrie drives in 4 to back Manaea, A's hold off Mariners 7-6
Lowrie drives in 4 to back Manaea, A's hold off Mariners 7-6
By JANIE McCAULEY
AP Baseball Writer
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) --- Jed Lowrie drove in four runs to back Sean Manaea and
the Oakland Athletics held off a late Seattle rally to beat the Mariners 7-6 on
Monday night in a matchup of AL West contenders.
Manaea (11-8) pitched into the eighth and bounced back from a season-low 2 2/3
innings against the Dodgers his last time out.
Second-place Oakland moved 2 1/2 games ahead of the Mariners, who had momentum
coming off a four-game sweep at first-place and defending World Series champion
Houston. Seattle had won six of eight. The idle Astros had their lead trimmed
to two games over the A's.
Jean Segura and Nelson Cruz hit consecutive RBI singles with two outs in the
eighth, and the Mariners --- who like the A's have a knack for late-inning
rallies --- nearly pulled off a comeback. Seattle loaded the bases with none
out in the ninth on three walks by Jeurys Familia before Blake Treinen relieved
and allowed a run on a wild pitch and Mitch Haniger's two-run single before
closing it out for his 31st save. Cruz struck out swinging to end it with
runners on first and second.
Matt Chapman hit a two-run double in the sixth, his third double of the game.
That matched the Oakland record that he last accomplished on June 12 against
Houston.
Manaea gave up two runs and five hits in 7 2/3 innings as the A's won for the
fourth time in five games and moved a season-high 23 games above .500 (71-48).
The left-hander faced the minimum through three despite allowing a baserunner
in each of the initial two innings --- getting a caught stealing in the first
and double play in the second.
The Mariners challenged Chapman's double in the third while Chapman was checked
by athletic trainer Nick Paparesta following a headfirst slide that tore his
batting glove. The call stood after review, and Lowrie doubled down the
left-field line moments later.
Lowrie hit RBI singles in the first and sixth innings. Only an announced crowd
of 10,400 fans were on hand to see his productive night.
Seattle lefty Marco Gonzales (12-8) allowed four runs and eight hits over five
innings, struck out four and walked three. Gonzales lost his third straight
start after winning five in a row from June 29-July 29.
CANO'S RETURN
Seattle's Robinson Cano is scheduled to return Tuesday from his 80-game
suspension for violating baseball's drug agreement.
The All-Star second baseman was suspended May 15 after he tested positive for
Furosemide, a diuretic that can be used to mask performance-enhancing drugs. He
tuned up with Class A Everett and Triple-A Tacoma.
Manager Scott Servais plans to use Cano --- who is ineligible for the
postseason if Seattle makes the playoffs --- around the infield. Servais will
have a sit-down with Cano once the infielder arrives in Oakland to stress not
trying to do too much.
"We need to be smart in breaking him in," Servais said. "He wants to get going,
he wants to contribute right away. He's missed playing, he's missed his
teammates and being around this whole thing. I know he wants to come in and do
a lot. But again small little things."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Mariners: Already lost for the season, RHP reliever Sam Tuivailala will have
surgery on his strained right Achilles tendon, and it's unclear whether he will
be recovered in time for spring training. He was hurt last Wednesday during a
rundown against Texas. He was acquired from St. Louis ahead of the trade
deadline. ... RHP Dan Altavilla (UCL sprain in pitching elbow) will throw
another live batting practice session soon then likely begin pitching in minor
league games within a week. ... RHP Juan Nicasio had a second opinion on his
inflamed right knee and is back playing catch.
Athletics: RF Matt Joyce is hitting soft toss and off a tee in the cage and
should be hitting on the field sometime this week. ... RHP Jharel Cotton (Tommy
John surgery), RHP Andrew Triggs (nerve irritation in pitching arm) and RHP
Paul Blackburn (elbow tendinitis) all played catch --- the first time for
Cotton and Blackburn. Manager Bob Melvin is optimistic Blackburn and Triggs
will pitch again this year once rosters expand Sept. 1.
UP NEXT
Seattle LHP James Paxton (10-5, 3.63 ERA) looks to win his second straight
start when he opposes RHP Mike Fiers (7-6, 3.40), making his second start since
the A's acquired him from the Tigers last week.
___
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