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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME LOG
SEATTLE (AP) -- The Seattle Mariners didn't even need Alex
Rodriguez.
The Mariners activated the All-Star shortstop from the 15-day
disabled list, but did not use him Monday night in a 6-4 victory over
the Oakland Athletics.
"We had him ready, but it worked out well where we didn't need
to go to him tonight," Mariners manager Lou Piniella said.
|  | | Edgar Martinez increased his major league-leading RBI total to 94 with his 25th home run. |
Rodriguez was standing in the dugout in the eighth inning with a
helmet on and a bat in his hand, but did not get the call to go to
the plate.
Edgar Martinez hit his 25th home run, leading Jamie Moyer and
the Mariners.
Moyer (11-3) beat the A's for the sixth straight time. Overall,
he's won eight of his last nine decisions.
Moyer's last two starts have been wins against the Athletics. He
beat Oakland 6-3 on July 19.
"It's hard to go against the same team in consecutive starts,
especially a team like Oakland," Moyer said. "They have a bunch of
power hitters who can spray the ball."
Moyer gave up three runs and six hits in 6 1/3 innings.
Kazuhiro Sasaki pitched the ninth, giving up an RBI single to
Terrence Long, for his 24th save in 26 opportunities. He's been
successful in his last 14 chances.
With two outs and a man on second, Sasaki had a nine-pitch
battle with Jason Giambi. Sasaki threw eight straight splitters
before striking out Oakland's top slugger looking with a fastball.
"Every one was a splitter," Sasaki said through an
interpreter. "He probably felt that I would throw another one. I
threw the last one down the middle. I knew that I was having
trouble with my control, so if I aimed for the middle it would go
someplace else."
Kevin Appier (8-8) tied a career high with his fifth loss in a
row. He allowed five runs on nine hits and six walks in six
innings, and remained winless since June 23.
Appier has lost all three starts against Seattle this season.
"Being 0-3 against any team is a bummer," said Appier, "but
because they are the team in front of us it obviously adds
disappointment to it."
Appier struggled in the first inning, throwing 32 pitches as the
Mariners took a 2-0 lead.
"I struggled with my command," Appier said. "The first inning
is where I had the biggest problem. I was able to pretty much fix
if after that, but they did the majority of the damage in the first
two innings."
Seattle loaded the bases with a one-out single by Martinez
sandwiched between a pair of walks. Stan Javier then beat out an
infield hit and, after Mike Cameron struck out, David Bell was hit
by a pitch.
After a single by Mark McLemore and a double by Rickey Henderson
to open the Mariners second, Carlos Guillen had an RBI groundout
and John Olerud singled home a run to give Moyer a comfortable 4-0
lead.
"Moyer has great command and a great changeup," Oakland manager Art Howe said. "That's what he basically throws at you all night
long. Even when you look for it, you'll have trouble hitting it."
Oakland got an unearned run in the fourth. With one out, Randy
Velarde reached on an error by third baseman Bell, Giambi
singled for the Athletics' first hit and Olmedo Saenz hit an RBI
single.
Martinez homered in the bottom half, giving him a major
league-leading 94 RBI.
The Mariners scored a run with two outs in the eighth, Cameron
singled, stole second and scored on an RBI single by Bell.
"That was a big run that David drove in during the eighth,"
Piniella said. "We really needed it."
Game notes
Appier made his 300th start of his career, making him the
22nd active pitcher to reach that plateau. ... Appier is 13-6
lifetime record against Seattle. ... Oakland's season-best streak
of homering in all 11 games since the All-Star break was snapped.
... The A's, who lead the majors with 92 errors, have not made an
error in the last four games. ... Javier left the game after three
innings with a mild groin strain. ... Moyer is 6-0 in six starts
following a Mariners loss this season. ... Henderson's fifth-inning
single moved him into a tie with Frankie Frisch for 33rd place on
the career hit list with 2,880.
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ALSO SEE
Baseball Scoreboard
Oakland Clubhouse
Seattle Clubhouse
Mariners activate A-Rod from DL
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