Dominant most of the season, Hisashi Iwakuma failed to bring his best stuff to O.com Coliseum Sunday, was beat up — for him — for four runs in five innings, and the Mariners fell to the Athletics 10-2, spoiling their shot at a three-game sweep in Oakland for the first time since April 10-12, 2009.
The Mariners, who have not won three in a row since May 1-4, fell to 31-39 after 70 games. A year ago after 70, the Mariners, also trying for their first sweep of the season, stood 30-40. In the last calendar year, the Mariners have made a one-game improvement.
After the Mariners took a 2-0 lead, Oakland pounced with two in the fourth, two in the fifth, four in the seventh and two in the eighth. The Athletics did it with four home runs, four doubles, a triple and 17 hits off four Seattle pitchers. The Mariners had eight hits, none for extra sacks.
Josh Reddick swung the big club for Oakland: 4-for-5 with a home run, triple, two singles and two RBIs batting out of the No. 7 hole.
Meanwhile, after getting to Oakland starter Bartolo Colon (9-2) for a pair in the second, the Mariners barely touched the Dominican, who allowed eight hits in seven innings with three strikeouts and no walks. Colon has won six straight decisions.
Iwakuma (7-2), who entered leading the AL in several important pitching stats, gave up four earned runs on eight hits with three strikeouts and three walks. Iwakuma matched his season low in strikeouts and tied his season high in walks. His ERA jumped from 1.79 to 2.06.
The Mariners took a 2-0 lead in the second when, after loading the bases on singles by Michael Morse, Jason Bay and rookie Mike Zunino, Endy Chavez plated Morse and Bay with a single to left.
Oakland took two back in the fourth on doubles by Josh Donaldson, Seth Smith and Reddick’s single, and added two in the fifth on a run-scoring double by Yoenis Cespedes and a run-scoring single by Brandon Moss.
After Iwakuma departed, former starter Blake Beavan came on and, after a scoreless sixth, yielded two runs in the seventh, low-lighted by back-to-back home runs by Donaldson and Smith. Beavan exited with the bases loaded and ex-closer Tom Wilhelmsen promptly walked Coco Crisp for a 7-2 lead and gave up a sacrifice fly to former Mariner John Jaso.
Moss and Reddick homered in the eighth.
The Mariners Monday begin a four-game series with the Los Angeles Angels. Aaron Harang (3-6, 5.60) will contest former Mariner starter Jason Vargas (5-4, 3.74). The Mariners return to Safeco Field Friday for a three-game set with the A’s.
NOTES: Manager Eric Wedge said Sunday that he’s hopeful 1B Justin Smoak will be able to rejoin the club in Anaheim . . . 2012 No. 1 draft pick Mike Zunino returned to the lineup Sunday after a day off Saturday — when backup Henry Blanco swatted a grand slam — and went 1-for-3 . . . Endy Chavez (2-for-4) and Michael Morse (2-for-3) produced multi-hit games . . . Tom Wilhelmsen made his first appearance Sunday since being demoted from the closer’s role. He walked in a run (unearned) and left after 0.2 innings . . . Beavan’s appearance was his first since June 6 in a mop-up role against the Yankees.