evanreyes
04-06-2002, 01:05 AM
SEATTLE (AP)-James Baldwin pitched seven strong innings in his Seattle debut and the Mariners beat the Oakland Athletics 7-1 Friday night behind homers by Bret Boone and John Olerud.
Signed as a free agent to replace Aaron Sele in the Mariners' rotation, Baldwin (1-0) gave up five hits, including a sixth-inning homer by rookie Carlos Pena. He walked one and struck out six.
Baldwin had a combined 10-11 record for the Chicago White Sox and the Los Angeles Dodgers last season before signing with the Mariners for $1.25 million this season. He underwent shoulder surgery after the 2000 season when he won 14 games for the White Sox and helped them get into the playoffs.
Winning their third straight game after an opening day loss to the White Sox, the Mariners staked Baldwin to a 3-0 lead in the first.
After a one-out single by Mark McLemore, Boone hit his first homer of the season. Olerud followed one out later with his first homer of 2002.
Erik Hiljus (0-1) walked Boone and Edgar Martinez to open the third before Olerud doubled in Boone for his second RBI. Olerud went 3-for-4 with a homer and two doubles.
The Mariners scored their fifth run in the sixth on Mike Cameron's double, Jeff Cirillo's sacrifice and Ben Davis' single.
Cirillo added a two-run single in the seventh off Mike Magnante.
Hiljus, who beat Seattle twice last season when he was 5-0, gave up five runs, seven hits and two walks in six innings.
When the Mariners tied the major league record with 116 victories last season, they finished 14 games ahead of the A's in the AL West. Seattle was 10-9 against Oakland, which made the playoffs as the AL wild card.
Notes: Martinez tied Ken Griffey Jr. by scoring his 1,063rd career run for the Mariners. ... Baldwin is 7-2 in his career against the A's. ... Baldwin took a one-hopper off the bat of Miguel Tejada off his left leg for a hit in the fifth, but was OK. He waved off trainer Rick Griffin before Griffin could reach the mound. ... The Mariners started Desi Relaford (SS) and Davis (C) for the first time. ... The A's were minus 3B Eric Chavez for the second straight game because of tightness in his lower back. Oakland hopes to use him as its DH Sunday in the final game of the series. ... David Justice has a hit in each of the A's first five games. ... Safeco Field's retractable roof was closed for the first time this season because it was raining.
Signed as a free agent to replace Aaron Sele in the Mariners' rotation, Baldwin (1-0) gave up five hits, including a sixth-inning homer by rookie Carlos Pena. He walked one and struck out six.
Baldwin had a combined 10-11 record for the Chicago White Sox and the Los Angeles Dodgers last season before signing with the Mariners for $1.25 million this season. He underwent shoulder surgery after the 2000 season when he won 14 games for the White Sox and helped them get into the playoffs.
Winning their third straight game after an opening day loss to the White Sox, the Mariners staked Baldwin to a 3-0 lead in the first.
After a one-out single by Mark McLemore, Boone hit his first homer of the season. Olerud followed one out later with his first homer of 2002.
Erik Hiljus (0-1) walked Boone and Edgar Martinez to open the third before Olerud doubled in Boone for his second RBI. Olerud went 3-for-4 with a homer and two doubles.
The Mariners scored their fifth run in the sixth on Mike Cameron's double, Jeff Cirillo's sacrifice and Ben Davis' single.
Cirillo added a two-run single in the seventh off Mike Magnante.
Hiljus, who beat Seattle twice last season when he was 5-0, gave up five runs, seven hits and two walks in six innings.
When the Mariners tied the major league record with 116 victories last season, they finished 14 games ahead of the A's in the AL West. Seattle was 10-9 against Oakland, which made the playoffs as the AL wild card.
Notes: Martinez tied Ken Griffey Jr. by scoring his 1,063rd career run for the Mariners. ... Baldwin is 7-2 in his career against the A's. ... Baldwin took a one-hopper off the bat of Miguel Tejada off his left leg for a hit in the fifth, but was OK. He waved off trainer Rick Griffin before Griffin could reach the mound. ... The Mariners started Desi Relaford (SS) and Davis (C) for the first time. ... The A's were minus 3B Eric Chavez for the second straight game because of tightness in his lower back. Oakland hopes to use him as its DH Sunday in the final game of the series. ... David Justice has a hit in each of the A's first five games. ... Safeco Field's retractable roof was closed for the first time this season because it was raining.