Seattle, WA – Brandon Moss hit a three-run homer and Derek Norris added a two-run shot and three RBI to lead the Oakland Athletics to an 8-2 rout of the Seattle Mariners.
Josh Donaldson and Daric Barton also drove in one run apiece for the Athletics, who are two games behind the Boston Red Sox for the top spot in American League.
Bartolo Colon (18-6) allowed a pair of solo home runs and struck out eight over six innings to pick up the win.
"He's been phenomenal. He had that stretch that stood out because of how good he has been all year. He had that break and seemed like he came back rejuvenated and is back to throwing the ball the way he has," said A's manager Bob Melvin.
Franklin Gutierrez and Kendrys Morales each clubbed solo homers for the Mariners.
Felix Hernandez (12-10) gave up Moss' three-run homer among five hits over six innings to absorb his fifth loss in as many decisions. He fanned six and walked just one in the setback.
Earlier on Thursday, Seattle Mariners will have a new manager when they take the field next season.
On Friday, Mariners manager Eric Wedge notified the club that he will not be back at the helm for 2014.
"I accept Eric's decision not to return and thank him for his hard work here the past three years. I want to wish him and his family all the best in the future," said Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik.
The 45-year-old has compiled a 212-271 record in Seattle in almost three full seasons, including a 70-89 record heading into a season-ending three-game series with the Oakland Athletics.
Wedge was sidelined in late July after suffering a stroke, during which time bench coach Robby Thompson took over as skipper.
Moss crushed his three-run homer in the first inning. Coco Crisp led off with a double and Jed Lowrie singled to set the table for Moss, who clobbered his 29th homer of the season over the wall in right.
Gutierrez slugged his solo shot in the home half to make it a two-run game before Morales cracked his solo shot in the sixth to pull the Mariners within 3-2.
It was all Oakland from there, however, as the A's plated three in the seventh and two in the eighth to make it 8-2.
After Josh Reddick walked, Norris hammered a two-run, pinch-hit homer to left field. Donaldson added an RBI groundout later in the frame.
In the eighth, Chris Young walked, stole second then scored on Norris' double to left. Barton followed with an RBI single to left to make it a six-run game.
Game Notes
A's outfielder Yoenis Cespedes left the game in the fourth inning with shoulder stiffness ... Oakland leads the Detroit Tigers by two games for the second seed in the AL playoffs ... The A's were 4-for-10 with runners ins coring position ... Young has nine stolen bases this season ... Seattle was 0-for-3 with RISP ... Hernandez hasn't won since Aug. 11.
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