Tommy Milone hopes to build off the first complete-game win of his career this evening when the Oakland Athletics open a three-game series with the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field.
Milone went the distance on Wednesday and won for the first time in five starts, as he beat the Los Angeles Dodgers, holding them to a run and three hits to run his record to 7-5, while lowering his ERA to 4.13.
"It means a lot," said Milone, who was awarded the lineup card as a memento. "Just to be out there in the ninth inning, it's such a good feeling. Every strike I threw, the crowd was cheering. Once I got the second out, I felt like I was the closer."
Milone lost to Seattle earlier in the year and surrendered four runs in six innings of that outing.
Oakland won in thrilling fashion on Sunday, as Derek Norris' three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth lifted the Athletics over the San Francisco Giants, 4-2.
Yoenis Cespedes and Brandon Inge both singled before Norris crushed a 3-2 fastball into the seats in left-center field. Norris' first-career homer helped the A's avoid a three-game sweep in the Bay Bridge series.
"I knew he didn't want to walk me," Norris said. "He painted a 3-1 pitch on the black and then (Buster) Posey dropped a foul ball that I hit and I got another chance and took advantage of it."
Jimmy Miller (2-0) earned the win after throwing 1 1/3 shutout innings. A.J. Griffin, who made his major league debut, gave up two runs on three hits and struck out four over six-plus innings. Griffin retired 13 straight after giving up a two-out hit in the second.
Coco Crisp doubled and scored and Josh Reddick drove in a run for the A's, who have won nine of their last 12.
Seattle, meanwhile, also lost its series over the weekend, dropping two of three to the San Diego Padres and getting shut out in Sunday's rubber match at Petco Park, 2-0.
Hector Noesi (2-9) allowed two runs on seven hits with six strikeouts and three walks over six innings. He also went 2-for-2 at the plate for the Mariners, who have dropped three of four.
"I thought Hector threw the ball batter today," Mariners manager Eric Wedge said. "He was more consistent with everything. I was really pleased with his effort."
Heading to the hill for the Mariners tonight will be righty Erasmo Ramirez, who will be making his third start of the season. Ramirez did not get a decision on Tuesday in Arizona, as he allowed five runs (4 earned) and seven hits in just four innings of a 12-9 win.
He is 0-1 on the year with a 5.40 ERA.
Seattle is 5-2 this season against the A's.
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