SEATTLE (AP) - Kenji Johjima hit a three-run homer during a six-run first inning, and the Seattle Mariners beat the Oakland Athletics 7-3 on Saturday.
Ryan Rowland-Smith (5-3) gave up three runs and nine hits in 6 2-3 innings for the Mariners. Sean Green allowed one hit over the final 2 1-3 innings for his first career save.The Mariners loaded the bases with no outs in the first inning. After Oakland starter Greg Smith walked in a run, Wladimir Balentien doubled to left-center field to score two runs. Johjima followed with his drive over the left-field wall to make it 6-0.
Daric Barton led off the second with a double and scored on Cliff Pennington's single. The A's picked up another run in the top of the fourth. Pennington doubled to lead off the inning and advanced to third base on a wild pitch by Rowland-Smith. Travis Buck beat out a throw by third baseman Matt Tuiasosopo for an infield single that scored Pennington.
Smith (7-16) didn't allow another hit after the first until Yuniesky Betancourt doubled in the fifth. Smith allowed five hits in seven innings.
Kurt Suzuki doubled with two outs in the seventh and scored on a single by Jack Cust, making it 6-3 and forcing Rowland-Smith from the game. Green got Chris Denorfia to ground out to second to end the inning.
Betancourt singled and scored in the eighth to make it 7-3. He finished 3-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored.
Notes: The six-run first inning by the Mariners was their biggest since jumping out to a 9-0 lead over the Detroit Tigers on July 30, 2003. ... Green is the 10th pitcher for Seattle this season to record a save.
