On Monday, the Oakland Athletics were back in familiar territory as they visited their division rivals the Seattle Mariners in the opening game of a three-game series at Safeco Field. Both teams showed anemic offense on Monday and both teams featured sparkling pitching. In the end though, the A's were able to get the one big hit the Mariners couldn't in an eventual 1-0 win.
Seth Smith hit a one-out home run in the top of the second inning. It was one of just three A's hits in the game and the only extra-base hit from either side. The A's never even managed to get another baserunner to second base in the game. Seattle starter Erasmo Ramirez was great through eight innings, but the game belonged to Oakland thanks to Smith and to A's starter Tom Milone.
Milone gave up seven hits -- all singles -- and no walks through seven innings of work, striking out five Mariners along the way. The M's were held to 0-for-2 with runners in scoring position.
The A's will try to secure a series win on Tuesday.
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