The Oakland Athletics faced off against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field again on Saturday night. The A's were hoping to secure a series win with a victory, but were stifled by Mariners starter Hector Noesi, who held Oakland to just five hits in a 4-0 shutout loss.
The Mariners got on the board in the bottom of the second inning on a solo home run by Jesus Montero. That was where the scoring stood until the bottom of the sixth inning, when Brendan Ryan and Chone Figgins reached on consecutive one-out singles. Tom Milone walked Dustin Ackley walked to load the bases. With two outs, Justin Smoak drew a walk to bring Ryan home and Montero struck once again, hitting a two-run double to cap off a three-run Mariners inning.
Hector Noesi had a start for Seattle that was the polar opposite of his last outing. He went eight innings, giving up no runs on five hits and a walk.
It was a shaky start for Milone, who gave up four earned runs in six innings on four hits and two walks. A double for Jemile Weeks represented the only extra-base hit for the A's.
Oakland will try to pick up the win in the rubber match on Sunday.
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