Thursday didn’t set up so well for Oakland. Felix Hernandez was on the mound for Seattle, and he’s owned the A’s like no other in his long career. Oakland, on the other hand, had a reliever making a spot start, with the rest of the bullpen at the ready.
Add to that the A’s offensive difficulties at home and their tough time against the AL West, and things looked dim for Oakland when the Mariners jumped out to a quick lead at the Coliseum. The A’s responded quickly and firmly, though, with four runs in the bottom of the first off Hernandez and the all-reliever pitching crew held the Mariners down just enough in 4-3 Oakland win.