A’s pitchers combine for 18 strikeouts in 7-4 win over Mariners

SEATTLE — Lawrence Butler drove in the go‑ahead run with a two‑run hit in the fifth inning, and the Athletics’ pitchers combined for 18 strikeouts in a 7‑4 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Thursday night. Zack Gelof opened the scoring with a solo home run for Oakland in the first inning. Seattle answered with a three‑run bottom of the first to take a 3‑1 lead. Julio Rodríguez produced the Mariners’ first run with an RBI triple, and Cal Raleigh’s subsequent single pushed Seattle ahead 2‑1. Rookie Lazaro Montes then recorded a two‑out single in his first at‑bat at T‑Mobile Park, giving the Mariners a 3‑1 advantage against Athletics starter Jack Perkins. Jeff McNeil scored on a bases‑loaded triple play in the second inning, cutting the deficit to 3‑2. Butler later put Oakland back in front with a two‑out hit off Mariners rookie starter Kade Anderson (0‑1) in the fifth. Anderson, making his third major‑league start, surrendered four earned runs on seven hits over five innings, walking two and striking out three. Oakland pinch‑hitter Donovan Walton added a solo home run off Carlos Vargas in the sixth, but Seattle replied with an RBI ground‑ball fielder’s choice by Rodríguez in the seventh. Rodríguez also stole three bases, becoming the first player in MLB history to begin his career with five straight 20‑home‑run, 20‑stolen‑base seasons. Max Muncy drove in a run with a single in the eighth, and McNeil added an RBI triple in the ninth. Hogan Harris worked the ninth inning for his 14th save, while Scott Blewett (1‑0) earned the win. The Mariners now trail the Houston Astros by six games in the AL West and are 4½ games behind the Cleveland Guardians for the third wild‑card spot. Looking ahead, Mariners right‑hander Logan Gilbert (11‑8, 3.42 ERA) is scheduled to start Friday against Oakland, which has not yet announced its starter.