OAKLAND, Calif. (AP)  Scott Kazmir pitched eight sparkling innings, Marcus Semien homered for the...

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<p>OAKLAND, Calif. (AP)  Scott Kazmir pitched eight sparkling innings, Marcus Semien homered for the first time in nearly two months, and the Oakland Athletics beat the Seattle Mariners 4-0 on Thursday night.</p>
<p>Josh Phegley had a two-run single and Mark Canha added an RBI triple for the A's, who ended a five-game losing streak against the Mariners.</p>
<p>Kazmir (5-5) retired 21 of his first 22 batters, allowing only a one-out double to Franklin Gutierrez on a 1-2 pitch in the fifth. Gutierrez also singled leading off the eighth but was erased on a double play.</p>
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<p>A possible trade deadline target this month, Kazmir struck out seven and hit a batter while improving to 5-0 in seven starts against the AL West this season.</p>
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Kazmir helps A's blank Mariners 4-0

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Mariners

Phegley grounded into fielder's choice, shortstop C.Taylor to second baseman Cano, B.Butler out

Phegley grounded into fielder's choice. Phegley to first, B.Butler out.

Grounded into fielder's choice. Phegley to first, B.Butler out.

Phegley doubled to right. Butler scored. Zobrist scored.

Doubled to right. Butler scored. Zobrist scored.

Athletics first.  Burns grounded out, third baseman Seager to first baseman Morrison.  Vogt grounded out, second baseman Cano to first baseman Morrison.  Zobrist walked on a full count.  B.Butler doubled to left, Zobrist to third.  Phegley doubled to right, Zobrist scored, B.Butler scored.  Reddick struck out, catcher Zunino to first baseman Morrison.  

Athletics fifth.  Lawrie struck out.  Canha grounded out, shortstop C.Taylor to first baseman Morrison.  Semien homered to left on a 2-0 count.  Burns struck out.  

Athletics seventh.  Wilhelmsen pitching.  Phegley popped out to second baseman Cano.  Reddick singled to right.  Lawrie grounded into fielder's choice, first baseman Morrison to shortstop C.Taylor, Reddick out.   Lawrie stole second.  Canha tripled to center, Lawrie scored.  Semien flied out to left fielder Gutierrez.  

Athletics

The Mariners beat the Padres, 7-0, at Petco Park yesterday, recording their second straight whitewash, and their fourth in the last 14 games overall -- second most of any MLB club since June 17 (Cubs -- 5). Seattle has never posted shutouts in three straight games.

Oakland beat Colorado, 4-1, at O.co Coliseum on Wednesday, taking two of three from the Rockies and improving to 19-13 in its last 32 games -- third best in the AL since games of May 28. The A's have allowed one or fewer runs 12 times in their last 37 contests.

The M's have defeated the A's five straight times, with four of those wins decided by a single run. Dating to May 5 last season, Seattle has won seven of its last 10 contests in Oakland.

Roenis Elias allowed a career-high seven earned runs in 3.2 innings eight days ago vs. Kansas City, taking the loss, and falling to 2-4 with a 6.21 ERA in his last six outings. Elias is 1-0 with a 3.18 ERA in two career starts vs. the A's (both at O.co Coliseum).

Scott Kazmir went 7.0 innings and allowed three runs (all earned) last Saturday vs. the Royals, and including that setback, is 2-5 with a 3.47 ERA in his last 10 starts overall. Kazmir (4-4, 3.35 ERA in 13 career starts vs. Seattle) has a 1.63 ERA at O.co Coliseum this season -- second lowest of any qualifying AL starter at home this season (Dallas Keuchel -- 1.24).

Billy Burns had a double and a triple in the same game for the first time in his career yesterday, giving him 22 multi-hit contests since being called up May 2 -- tied for second most in MLB (Jason Kipnis -- 23). Burns is 3-for-10 (all singles) in four career games vs. the M's.

HP - Foster, 1B - Wegner, 2B - Winters, 3B - Muchlinski

It took some time, but Mike Montgomery probably couldn't have asked for a better start to his major league career with the Seattle Mariners.
After becoming the 12th rookie since 1980 to record back-to-back shutouts, Montgomery looks to continue his recent dominance Sunday against the host Oakland Athletics.

Mariners-Athletics Preview

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP)  Scott Kazmir pitched eight sparkling innings, Marcus Semien homered for the first time in nearly two months, and the Oakland Athletics beat the Seattle Mariners 4-0 on Thursday night.
Josh Phegley had a two-run single and Mark Canha added an RBI triple for the A's, who ended a five-game losing streak against the Mariners.

Kazmir helps A's blank Mariners 4-0

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