Oakland Athletics pitcher Drew Rucinski works against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Thu May 4, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

OAKLAND–The Seattle Mariners won Thursday’s game 5-3 to sweep the three-game series with The A’s. Oakland’s starter Drew Rucinski did well in the first two innings, throwing just 17 pitches. Things started to go south in the third and fourth innings.

In the third, he gave a two-run blast to Taylor Trammel. He worked 2/3rd of an inning in the fourth. Rucinski walked four batters and allowed two hits as the Mariners took advantage of Rucinski’s loss of command. They put three runs on the board to lead 5-3. The A’s bullpen stopped the M’s offense as they held Seattle scoreless for the last five innings of the game.

With one out in the bottom of the second, A’s right fielder JJ Bleday blasted his first home run as a member of the Oakland A’s. The A’s lead 1-0

The lead didn’t last long. in the top of the third, A’s starter Drew Rucinski walked the leadoff hitter, J.P. Crawford. The next hitter, Mariners left fielder, Taylor Trammel, belted his second home run of 2023 to give Seattle a 2-1 advantage. The A’s answered in the half of the inning with two runs to take a 3-2 lead after three complete. A’s shortstop Nick Allen, leading off the frame, walked. A’s centerfielder Esteury Ruiz tripled to deep right-centerfield to drive in Allen. Ruiz scored on Teny Kemp’s ground out.

In the fourth, A’s starter Drew Rucinski couldn’t find the strike zone. With two outs, Ruciski walked M’s catcher Cal Raleigh. Teoscar Hernandez doubled, sending Raleigh to third. Rucinski walked the next two hitters, J.P. Crawford and Taylor Trammel.

The walk to Trammel forced in Raleigh with the M’s third run. The M’s ninth hitter in the lineup, Kolton Wong, singled to drive in Hernandez and Crawford. The M’s now lead 5-3 and have men at first and third with two out. Rucinski walked M’s DH Julio Rodriguez to load the base for the second time in the inning.

A’s manager Mark Kotsay brought in Austin Pruitt to pitch. Pruitt retired Ty France for the third out. The M’s lead 5-3 midway through the fourth. Both teams failed to score after the fourth inning. The M’s win 5-3.

Game Notes: The A’s announced they designated pitchers Jeurys Familia and Domingo Acevedo for assignment. The A’s have seven days to trade them or give them unconditional release. Austin Pruitt, Spencer Patton, and Rico Garcia were called up from the Triple-A Las Vegas Aviators before Thursday’s game. All three pitched against Seattle. 

With the loss, the ‘s record is an abysmal 6-26. The A’s have gone 32 games without a starting pitcher getting a win. The Mariners improved to 15-16. The line score for Oakland was three runs, eight hits, and no errors. Seattle’s line was five runs, seven hits, and no errors.

Drew Rucinski was the losing pitcher. He has lost both of his starts for the A’s. His line was three and 2/3rds innings of work. He allowed five runs, four hits, five walks, three strikeouts, and one home run. Seattle’s George Kirby won his third game of the year and is now 3-2. Paul Seward earned his ninth save.

The A’s JJ Bleday hit his first home run as an Oakland Athletic. The A’s used five relievers. Austin Pruitt, Sam Long, Spencer Patton. Richard Lovelady and Rico Garcia all did well.

The A’s are going to Kansas City to play three games against the Royals this weekend. Lefty Kyle Muller I0-2 ERA 6.28) will go for Oakland. Kansas City will counter with righty Brad Keller(2-2 ERA 3.56). The game will start at 5:10 pm.

The time of the game was 2:24. 13, 025 were on hand to watch the A’s lose their 26th game of the year.