Rob Refsnyder and Julio Rodriguez hit three-run homers and Logan Gilbert pitched six scoreless innings as the Seattle Mariners routed the host Athletics 9-1 Wednesday afternoon in West Sacramento, Calif., to move into first place in the American League West for the first time this season.
The reigning AL West champion Mariners swept the three-game series, outscoring the A’s 22-4, to take a half-game lead in the division race.
Gilbert (3-4) allowed five hits, walked two and struck out six.
Seattle’s J.P. Crawford opened the game with an infield single off the glove of A’s first baseman Nick Kurtz. With two outs, Josh Naylor reached on a throwing error by second baseman Jeff McNeil, putting runners at second and third. Refsnyder, who entered the game batting just .113, lined a hanging breaking pitch from Jeffrey Springs (3-5) just over the left-field wall to make it 3-0.
The Mariners added to their lead in the fourth. With two outs, Cole Young grounded a single to right and Jhonny Pereda walked. Rookie Colt Emerson then lined a triple into the right-field corner to make it 5-0.
Seattle tacked on a run in the sixth against reliever Joel Kuhnel after Young lined a one-out single and Pereda walked. Emerson hit a hard grounder to Kurtz, who fired to second to force out Pereda. But shortstop Darell Hernaiz’s throw back to first in an attempt to complete a double play was errant, allowing Young to score.
Rodriguez went deep to left-center with two outs in the eighth off reliever Luis Medina. It came after Young drew a leadoff walk and Emerson lined a one-out single to center. It was Rodriguez’s 10th homer of the season and his eighth in May, matching the most he’s hit in a month in his career.
The A’s scored their lone run in the ninth. Jonah Heim drew a leadoff walk and advanced to third on a single to right by Henry Bolte. Heim scored as McNeil grounded into a double play.
Springs allowed five runs (two earned) on six hits over six innings. The lefty walked one and struck out seven.
