OAKLAND — It took a few innings, but the A’s became the first team to finally get to Mariners pitcher James Paxton in a 9-6 victory on Thursday.
Paxton came into the night as one of the hottest pitchers in baseball. He had yet to allow a run in his first 21 innings pitched, striking out 22 batters while walking just four.
But the A’s offense has also been hot lately. After hanging nine runs on the Texas Rangers in Wednesday’s victory, the A’s bats once again came to life, starting in the third inning.
Trailing 3-0, Jaff Decker and Rajai Davis led off the inning with back-to-back singles off of Paxton, bringing Adam Rosales to the plate.