SEATTLE -- You can excuse Andrew Triggs if the A's right-hander doesn't send Nelson Cruz a birthday card when the burly Mariners designated hitter turns 38 in two months.
Cruz continued tormenting Triggs with a three-run homer Tuesday and Dee Gordon cranked out a 5-for-5 night with two stolen bases as the Mariners maintained their recent roll with a 6-3 victory in the series opener between the American League West rivals at Safeco Field.
Cruz has just 10 plate appearances against the .