OAKLAND -- Dee Gordon provides a lot of things for the Mariners. Speed, defense and the versatility to play center field again on Wednesday afternoon with Robinson Cano back at second base following his return from an 80-game suspension.
But game-winning two-run homers in the 12th inning? That's not one the Mariners expected -- yet gladly accepted -- as Gordon helped prevent a series sweep by the A's in a crucial 2-0 victory in the American League West showdown at the Coliseum.
Gordon's home run -- just his second of the year and first since the third game of the season on April 1 -- followed a one-out walk by Mike Zunino and set closer Edwin Diaz up for his Major League-leading 47th save of the season.