SEATTLE MARINERS

Abraham Toro’s single in 9th sends Mariners over Athletics

Jul 2, 2022, 5:12 PM | Updated: Jul 3, 2022, 9:36 am

Seattle Mariners' Abraham Toro, right, has water dumped onto him by Adam Frazier, left, after Toro hit a single to score Marcus Wilson with the winning run during the ninth inning of the team's baseball game against the Oakland Athletics, Saturday, July 2, 2022, in Seattle. The Mariners won 2-1. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher George Kirby throws against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning of a baseball game, Saturday, July 2, 2022, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Paul Blackburn throws against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning of a baseball game, Saturday, July 2, 2022, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Oakland Athletics manger Mark Kotsay, center, argues with home plate umpire Chris Segal, left, after Kotsay was ejected during an at-bat by Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodriguez during the sixth inning of a baseball game Saturday, July 2, 2022, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Oakland Athletics manger Mark Kotsay, right, argues with home plate umpire Chris Segal after Kotsay was ejected during an at-bat by Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodriguez during the sixth inning of a baseball game Saturday, July 2, 2022, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher George Kirby, left, greets first base coach Kristopher Negron after the top of the sixth inning of the team's baseball game against the Oakland Athletics, Saturday, July 2, 2022, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Seattle Mariners' Justin Upton is greeted in the dugout after he hit a solo home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics, Saturday, July 2, 2022, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Seattle Mariners' Abraham Toro, center, walks to the dugout with his teammates after he hit a walk-off RBI single to score Marcus Wilson during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics, Saturday, July 2, 2022, in Seattle. The Mariners won 2-1. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Seattle Mariners' Abraham Toro hits a single to score Marcus Wilson with the winning run during the ninth inning of the team's baseball game against the Oakland Athletics, Saturday, July 2, 2022, in Seattle. The Mariners won 2-1. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Seattle Mariners' Abraham Toro, center, is greeted by Julio Rodriguez, right, and Cal Raleigh, left, after Toro hit a single to score Marcus Wilson with the winning run against the Oakland Athletics during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, July 2, 2022, in Seattle. The Mariners won 2-1. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
AP staff

Pinch-hitter Justin Upton homered to tie it in the eighth inning and Abraham Toro singled home the winning run in the ninth to lift the Seattle Mariners over the Oakland Athletics 2-1 Saturday.

Mariners 2, Athletics 1: Box score

The Mariners loaded the bases with no outs in the ninth when Lou Trivino (1-6) walked Eugenio Suarez, Carlos Santana singled and Cal Raleigh reached on shortstop Nick Allen’s error.

Toro then singled home pinch-runner Marcus Wilson for the victory.

Toro Time, indeed. #SeaUsRise pic.twitter.com/rpJ1xV8zca

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) July 2, 2022

Diego Castillo (6-1) got the win.

Upton sent the first pitch he saw from A’s reliever AJ Puk into Edgar’s Cantina in left field to tie it at 1. It was his first homer of the season and the 325th of his career.

The A’s scored in the first off George Kirby when Tony Kemp led off with a walk, Ramon Laureano singled and Sean Murphy had a sacrifice fly.

Kirby and A’s starter Paul Blackburn both excelled.

Kirby, coming off a tough start on Monday where he allowed four homers against the Baltimore Orioles, retired 13 consecutive batters from the second inning to the sixth, six by strikeout.

Who on Mariners must step up with injuries and suspensions piling up?

KOTSAY TOSSED

A’s manager Mark Kotsay was ejected in the bottom of the sixth inning by home plate umpire Chris Segal after complaining about a call on Seattle’s Julio Rodriguez.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Athletics: INF Jed Lowrie (shoulder) had an MRI earlier this week that showed some fluid buildup, according to Kotsay. Lowrie had a cortisone injection, but still has no timeline for a return.

UP NEXT

Mariners: Seattle will start LHP Robbie Ray (6-6, 3.78) on Sunday in the series finale against Oakland. Ray has been dominant of late, with two earned runs allowed over his last four starts with 11 hits, seven walks, and 28 strikeouts.

Athletics: Frankie Montas (3-8, 3.20) is Sunday starter. He has allowed just six hits and two earned runs over his past two starts, which came on June 23 against the Mariners and June 28 against the Yankees.

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