Reddick lifts Athletics over Mariners in extras
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Josh Reddick's run-scoring double in the 13th inning allowed the Oakland Athletics to end the first half on a positive note with a 2-1 victory over the Seattle Mariners.
The Athletics scored a run in the first, then went the next 11 innings without one. Luckily enough, the Mariners managed only one run in the meantime and gave the home team a chance to win it.
It didn't take long in the final inning, as Jemile Weeks laced a leadoff single off Oliver Perez (0-2). Reddick followed with a shot to the left- center field gap, and Weeks scored without a play to give Oakland a 43-43 record heading into the All-Star break.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"It was good for us," said Weeks. "We've been fighting all year. We've had our ups and downs but for the most part we've met expectations, or exceeded them at times and I think we'll continue to do that."
Yoenis Cespedes drove in the other run for the A's, who took two of three in this series and six of their last seven overall. Bartolo Colon was excellent in 8 2/3 innings, allowing only a run on seven hits without walking a batter.
Jordan Norberto (2-1) won for one inning of scoreless relief.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Michael Saunders had two hits and drove in a run for the Mariners, who end the first half with 51 losses, the most in the American League. Felix Hernandez pitched well enough to win, but his offense deserted him after giving up a run, six hits and three walks in 7 2/3 frame.
"Obviously from an offensive standpoint with the position players, that's the No. 1 area where we have to get a lot better and be more consistent," said Mariners manager Eric Wedge.
Hernandez got off to a rough start, allowing a single to Coco Crisp and a bunt single to Weeks to open the first. Both runners advanced on a groundout, and Cespedes' infield single plated Crisp for an early Oakland advantage.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Oakland put a runner on third in the second and third innings, but couldn't extend its lead. Colon cruised after allowing a leadoff hit in the first, retiring 17 straight batters at one point. Seattle, though, finally broke through in the sixth.
With two outs and nobody on, Dustin Ackley singled and moved to third on Ichiro Suzuki's infield single. Saunders tied the game with a base hit to right.
In the 10th, Oakland had Weeks on first with two outs and he stole second off Charlie Furbush, prompting Seattle to intentionally walk Reddick. Furbush somehow threw one of the intentional balls over the catcher's head, allowing Weeks third, but Shawn Kelly struck out Jonny Gomes to end the threat.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Neither team got a runner into scoring position until Saunders' two-out double in the 13th, but John Jaso grounded out to end the inning.
Game Notes
Oakland now has eight walkoff wins this season, the most in the majors. They had three all of last year...Seattle still leads the season series, 7-6...The Athletics' streak of 17 games with a home run was snapped.