Torrens’ 2-run single helps Seattle sweep stumbling A’s

OAKLAND, Calif .– Manager Scott Servais saved the conversation about the barrel differential for another day, preferring to refer to Seattle’s “fun differential.”

His Mariners win in many ways and find a nice groove at the right time.

Luis Torrens hit a two-run tie-break, Chris Flexen stayed solid through the seventh inning, and Seattle won a two-game series against the Oakland Athletics with a 5-1 win on Tuesday.

“Somebody just told me that our running differential on this trip is minus nine, but our fun differential is about plus 90,” said Servais with a smile. “We’ll go with it.”

“It’s definitely higher than our running differential, that’s for sure,” said catcher Tom Murphy as Seattle finished an eight-game, three-city road trip 6-2.

The A’s managed three singles in a row in the first against Flexen (11-5), who played himself in and struck five over 6 2/3 innings. He allowed six hits and went one, and the Mariners improved to 17-7 on his outings.

Mitch Moreland hit an RBI single for Oakland in the first, before Jarred Kelenic equaled it to 1 with his own single in the second. Kelenic also doubled up Murphy in the round of 16, scoring a goal in Dylan Moore’s singles.

Elvis Andrus hit a double in the seventh double and Mark Canha left to chase Flexen but Oakland stayed empty. Starling Marte hit a high fly against Drew Steckenrider who earned his sixth save.

The A’s who have made the playoffs for the past three seasons are trying to find the familiar fun they know so well.

Oakland lost their fourth game in a row – all but Tuesday’s result with two or fewer runs – and their eighth in 10 after a 12-3 stretch.

“We’re putting too much pressure on every facet we have right now. There’s not much room for error,” said coach Bob Melvin. “It was a difficult period that we went through. We didn’t look good today. We have lost some close games here lately. We have to flip the switch and start playing the way we do. We usually stand on the other side of these games. ” . And this is the wrong time for a break-in, a wrong time for the crew to break in. We’ll find out. “

A day after scratching his left foot from a bruise, Oakland’s third baseman Matt Chapman was hit by a pitch in the left wrist area in the fourth but stayed in the game.

A’s lefty Cole Irvin (9-12) finished after three innings with a hip pull he didn’t consider serious. Seattle marked him for three runs and seven hits.

“They’re fighting for what we’re fighting for, a berth for the postseason,” said Irvin.

Oakland rescuer Yusmeiro Petit, 36, made his 500th career appearance.

WIN LATE

The Mariners’ 5-3 win on Monday was their 30th comeback win and their second consecutive rally win as their ninth win.

“I’ve never been part of a team that made it late in the games so often,” said Servais, adding that he wished Seattle could run a few times earlier.

“Honestly, it would make everyone’s life a little easier, but we’re in the entertainment business, why don’t we make it interesting, right?”

SLOW SALE

One day after the start of the series it attracted 4,140 fans, on Tuesday 4,508 tickets were sold.

“It’s a little different,” said Servais.

TRAINER ROOM

Mariners: With the way the off-days come up, the Mariners will stick to their regular rotation, which gives starters an extra day of rest to use during this phase, Servais said.

Athletics: RHP Chris Bassitt’s face surgery in Chicago went as planned and the A’s are encouraged after the pitcher was hit by a line drive against the White Sox last week. Plastic surgeon Dr. Peter Revenaugh of Rush Medical Center performed the surgery to stabilize three broken cheekbones while removing other small broken bones. The team said, “Chris is stable and resting comfortably and will have follow-up appointments when he arrives in Oakland,” which is expected later this week. “Very successful, this is great news,” said Melvin. “All the little nuances that we probably knew were in there all went wonderfully, fragments were removed, the whole thing. So I think it went exceptionally well and everyone feels great about it.”

ROSTER MOVE

Seattle have ruled right-handed Robert Dugger versus Triple-A Tacoma after being selected for action on Sunday.

NEXT

Seattle has Wednesday off and Yusei Kikuchi (7-7, 4.22 ERA) will kick off the series at home against Kansas City on Thursday night. He wants to crack a winless route with three starts and avoid losing starts for the second time in a row in 2021.

After Oakland’s day off, RHP James Kaprielian (7-4, 3.25 ERA) takes over the hill for the A’s, having walked 2-0 with 3.31 ERA in three starts since dropping out of the injured list.

——

Copyright © 2021 ESPN Internet Ventures. All rights reserved.