By Charlie O. Mallonee

Game 162 can be a throw-away game for a Major League team. If you are in the playoffs, then take it easy and look forward to the post-season. If you are just playing out the season, put as many of your Triple-A players as you can in the game and let the vets think about going fishing.

On Sunday, the A’s showed up to play hard and get ready for the Tigers in the ALDS. Oakland demolished the hapless Mariners 9-0 to close out the 2013 regular season. The intense play and stunning result shows that Athletics have their heads in the right place to enter the first round of the American League Playoffs.

A’s rookie pitcher Sonny Gray took the hill for the A’s on Sunday. Gray worked 5.0 innings giving up no runs on just three hits. He struck out eight Mariners and walked only three Seattle hitters. It was a great tune up for Gray as he prepares for his opportunity work in the post-season.

Oakland posted two four-run innings in the game. The A’s scored four-runs in the top of the second inning and repeated the feat in the top of the fifth inning. Oakland added one-run in the ninth to top off their 96^th win of 2013.

The one surprising fact was the A’s did not use the long ball in the lopsided victory. To win 9-0 and not have a home run is almost unheard of in the MLB. Oakland used well timed singles and doubles to pick apart the M’s.

Seth Smith led the way for the A’s on Sunday. He went 3-for-5 in the game including two doubles, scored two- runs and had one RBI. Smith had the only multi-hit game for Oakland.

The A’s used 13 position players and six pitchers in the game. Closer Grant Balfour even threw an inning in a non-save situation just to have a game level pitching opportunity before the playoffs begin next Friday in Oakland.

As for Seattle highlights, there were none. The Mariners finished the season 71-91 and missed the playoffs for the 12^th consecutive year.

It was the final game for Eric Wedge as manager of the Mariners. Wedge announced on Friday that he would not return to manage the Seattle club in 2014. Wedge cited philosophical differences between himself and the Seattle front office as the reason for his departure.

Yoenis Cespedes did not play for the A’s on Sunday due to his sore shoulder. Expect to see Cespedes in the line-up next Friday versus the Tigers.