SEATTLE -- Dee Gordon had a big night on the bases, Nelson Cruz hit a two-run home run and the Seattle Mariners beat the Oakland Athletics 4-1 on Thursday night in their first game since Ichiro Suzuki was moved from the roster to the front office.
Hours after the Mariners announced Suzuki's new role for the rest of 2018, Gordon gave the longtime Japanese star a fitting tribute. With "Thanks 51" written on his cap, Gordon went 3 for 4, stole two bases, scored twice, and set the table for the three-run third inning that proved the difference against the A's and their emerging left-handed ace, Sean Manaea.