By Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Sunday, October 2, 2016

AP photo: The Seattle Mariners Kyle Seager (15) signs for the fans at Safeco Field after the Oakland A’s took the final game of the season from the M’s on Sunday

The Oakland Athletics closed out their 2016 season at Safeco Field in Seattle Sunday, finishing with a 3-2 win over the Mariners.

Starting pitcher Sean Manaea gave the Athletics a glimpse of what they might see in the future. Manaea allowed two runs on five hits in six innings,

Manaea has allowed only three runs on 15 hits in 24 innings, with 20 strikeouts since coming off the disabled list two weeks ago. He has a 2.67 ERA in 13 games after the All-Star break.

Because it’s getaway day of sorts, Stepen Vogt slugged his 14th home run of the season on the only pitch he saw in the season finale before leaving for a pinch-hitter. Marcus Semien and Eric Pinder each added an RBI single.

A two-run double by Guillermo Heredia accounted for Seattle’s offense. The Mariners threatened in the bottom of the ninth, but Matt Olson’s leaping catch at the right field wall robbed Kyle Seager of a hit for the second out, and John Axford wound up with his third save.

Despite the injuries and bad luck, the Athletics finished their season 69-93, one game better than a year ago. Unfortunately, it’s the A’s fifth-worst record by win percentage in its 116-year history.

One more bright spot for the Athletics: outfielder Jake Smolinski picked up a pair of hits, snapping an 0-for-20 slump – the longest hitting drought of his career.

Looking ahead, the A’s open the 2017 season at the Coliseum on April 3, hosting the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Pitchers and catchers report to Mesa, Ariz., in February.