Kaprielian tosses 7 scoreless innings, A’s beat Mariners 6-3

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — James Kaprielian pitched seven scoreless innings and the Oakland Athletics beat the Seattle Mariners 6-3 on Wednesday to avoid a three-game sweep.

Kaprielian (2-0) surrendered just two hits and two walks, striking out four in his third career start as the A’s snapped a three-game losing streak.

“Obviously, I didn’t pile up a bunch of strikeouts like I would hope,” Kaprielian said. “Every pitcher loves those. But we just used the defense and pounded it and attacked guys and that was the game plan.”

Matt Olson launched his 13th homer of the season and Seth Brown had two hits and two RBIs for Oakland. Ramón Laureano and Matt Chapman also drove in runs.

The A's jumped on Seattle starter Robert Dugger for two runs in the first inning, including an RBI double by Brown. Dugger (0-1) allowed five runs on five hits and three walks in 3 1/3 innings.

“I thought he threw the ball okay,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said. “Oakland’s very patient and they did grind some at-bats against him. It wasn’t maybe as sharp as we’ve seen him in the past.”

Olson’s third-inning homer made it 3-0. He drove in another run in the fourth on a sacrifice fly as the A’s pushed ahead 6-0.

"To be able to come out and produce runs without just relying on the homer ... that was good," Olson said. “That was a clean ballgame and a good win.”

Jarred Kelenic, Mitch Haniger and Kyle Seager drove in runs for the Mariners in the eighth inning off Yusmeiro Petit. Jake Diekman came in to record the final four outs and earn his sixth save.

HEATING UP

Oakland's Elvis Andrus had two hits following a three-hit performance on Tuesday. The veteran has hit .308 over his last 17 games, raising his season average from .143 to .197.

“I feel a lot...

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