By Jeff Hall

SEATTLE — If the A’s have any hope of making the post-season, simply put they are going to have to play better baseball. It was more of the same for the A’s, poor execution on defense and lack of timely hitting; or hitting at all on offense. The A’s fell 4-2 to the Mariners losing the first game of the series and now cling to a half game lead in the wild card over both the Kansas City Royals and the Mariners. With the loss the A’s have dropped 12 of their last 15 games

The Mariners jumped out to an Early 1-0 lead when Robinson Cano homered just over the left field fence with 2 outs in the bottom of the first inning off A’s starter Jason Hammel (10-11)

The Mariners added a run when Kyle Seager led off the  bottom of the second with a walk, he stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by A’s catcher Geovany Soto. Two batters later Mike Zunino blooped a ball into shallow right that eluded the outstretched arms of A’s shortstop Jed Lowrie and left fielder Jonny Gomes who seemed to lose the ball in the lights, the ball landed for a double and scored Seager from third base.

The A’s pulled within a run in the top of the third. Mariners Starter James Paxton (6-2) struggled finding the strike zone and with one out walked Sam Fuld. Fuld stole second the next batter Coco Crisp walked and they A’s had their first real threat of the ballgame with Josh Donaldson at the plate. Donaldson singled to right center to drive in Fuld and move Crisp to third. Derek Norris was walked to load the bases, but Lowrie struck out leaving the bases loaded.

The A’s tied the game 2-2 in the top of the fourth. Nate Freiman singled to lead off the inning and Hammel who became a hitter after the A’s lost their designated hitter in the bottom of the third inning laid down a good bunt that ended up with him  being safe at first on Kyle Seager’s throwing error trying to get Freiman at second base, Freiman would get to third on the error . The A’s lost their DH when Geovany Soto left with back spasms. Derek Norris took over behind the plate costing the A’s their DH in the move, and  putting Hammel in the lineup . Freiman scored the tying run on  a safety squeeze by Sam Fuld.

From that point on Paxton found his groove and shut the A’s down and at in a stretch of 8 hitters he struck out 7.

Fernando Rodney came on in the ninth and gave up back to back singles to Brandon Moss and Fuld, but settled down and picked up his 45^th save to close out the game for Seattle.

Up Next, the A’s will face Felix Hernandez (14-5). The A’s will send Sonny Gray (13-8) to the mound.

Notes: Before the game the A’s  activated closer Sean Doolittle from the 15-day disabled list. Doolittle was placed on the DL on Aug. 24 because of a strained right intercostal muscle. Since taking over as closer, Doolittle has 20 saves in 23 chances. He has a 2.28 ERA in 54 total appearances and currently is on a 13-inning scoreless streak. Doolittle has struck out 80 and has walked only five this season.

The A’s announced they are renewing their contract with Double A Midland through 2016.

 According to the A’s Public Relations department the club has extended its player development contract with Double-A Midland of the Texas League through the 2016 season.  The Midland RockHounds have had a minor league affiliation with the A’s since 1999.

 “We are extremely pleased to continue our affiliation with the Midland RockHounds,” said A’s Vice President and General Manager Billy Beane. “Their owners, Miles Prentice and Bob Richmond, and their entire front office, led by Monty Hoppel, have been fantastic to work with over the last 16 years.  I believe it has been a mutually beneficial relationship, and we look forward to playing at Security Bank Ballpark through 2016 and beyond.”

 The RockHounds, who face Tulsa in Game 3 of the Texas League Championship Series at Security Bank Ballpark tonight, posted a 77-63 record this season and advanced to the championship round by beating Frisco, three games to one, in the division series.

 Security Bank Ballpark, a 4,709-seat venue that features grass berm areas that add substantially to the overall capacity, first opened in 2002.  The A’s affiliation with Midland dates back 16 years and is the longest tenure in franchise history.  It is also among the longest active in all of Double-A Baseball.  The RockHound’s Monty Hoppel, a five-time Texas League Executive of the Year and the 2010 Minor League Baseball Executive of the Year, has served as team’s general manager for 25 years.