OAKLAND -- The Mariners kept pace in a crowded American League Wild Card race Friday night, pulling within 3 1/2 games of a postseason spot thanks to a 3-2, series-opening victory over the A's behind right-hander Hisashi Iwakuma at the Coliseum.
Iwakuma, who allowed two runs in 6 2/3 innings, was staked to an early lead courtesy of Nelson Cruz's first-inning RBI double, and the Mariners kept their distance with a pair of homers, getting solo shots from Norichika Aoki and Mike Zunino.
Infielder Joey Wendle and catcher Bruce Maxwell drove in runs for the A's and combined for five hits, while fellow rookie Daniel Mengden took the loss after yielding two runs in five innings.