Game recap: Mariners 9, Athletics 5

Takeaway

The Mariners broke out of their offensive dither with a quartet of two-run homers  — Logan Morrison (third inning), Seth Smith (sixth), Nelson Cruz (eighth) and Brad Miller (eighth) — and swamped the Oakland Athletics 9-5 Friday night at O.Com Coliseum (box score). While the win kept Seattle from falling into sole possession of last place in the AL West, the Mariners gained no ground on Houston, still 10 games ahead after defeating Boston 12-8 (see latest Seattle roster moves below).

Essential moment

With the Mariners trailing 3-2 after Morrison’s two-run shot in the third, Smith hit his two-run long ball off Oakland starter Jesse Chavez in the sixth to put Seattle ahead 4-3.

Hitters

Seattle hit four or more home runs for the fourth time this season: Also, April 13 at L.A. Dodgers, May 2 at Houston and May 12 vs. San Diego. The nine runs were the most by the Mariners since June 10, when they defeated Cleveland 9-3. The Mariners put up five runs in the eighth, the fifth time this year they have tallied five in a frame.

Robinson Cano, who had a four-hit game Wednesday, went 3-for-5 with a run scored and pushed his average to .250. His stolen base in the eighth was the 50th of his career. Cruz’s homer was his 21st and two RBIs hiked his season total to 50. Mark Trumbo, acquired by Seattle from Arizona June 3, continued to struggle, going 0-for-3. He’s hitting .139 since the trade.

Pitchers

Seattle starter J.A. Happ weathered a 31-pitch second inning and won for the first time since May 9 when he beat the A’s 7-2. Happ dropped four consecutive decisions.and had not been given a lead since May 31. He worked six inning and allowed three runs on eight hits with five strikeouts and no walks. Happ departed with a 4-3 lead after throwing 101 pitches.

Words

“We bounced back real nice, particularly after falling behind 3-0. It’s nice to see us string together hits and have the opportunity for two-run homers. We haven’t done that a lot” — Lloyd McClendon, Seattle manager

“We’ve got a lot of work to do still, but we look forward to doing it. I don’t even know what our record is right now. All we can do is win the game that’s in front of you” — Logan Morrison, after his 10th home run.

Noteworthy

Following the game, the club optioned RHP Tom Wilhelmsen, LHP Roenis Elias and LHP Vidal Nuno to AAA Tacoma. Hisashi Iwakuma, who completed a rehab assignment, will rejoin the club Monday in time to start against the Detroit Tigers at Safeco Field. The Mariners will make corresponding roster moves Saturday to fill the 25-man roster . . . The Mariners improved to 37-43, 32-37 against the American League and 19-15 vs. the AL West . . . Seattle is 9-13-4 in series played and 4-2 on the eight-game trip that ends Sunday.

Next

The Mariners play the third of four against Oakland Saturday at 1:05 p.m. RHP Felix Fernandez (10-4, 3.05) starts against RHP Kendall Gravemann (5-4, 3.47). The Mariners  close out the series Sunday and return to Safeco Field for three games against the Detroit Tigers and four against the Los Angeles Angels before the All-Star break.