OAKLAND -- Leonys Martin isn't supposed to be a power hitter. Nor does he have a history of faring well against A's ace Sonny Gray.
So of course it was Martin who launched a two-run homer off Gray in the third inning on Tuesday to kick-start Seattle's 8-2 victory over Oakland on a night Robinson Cano and Kyle Seager also went deep to help the Mariners clinch their sixth consecutive series and move into a half-game lead over the Rangers in the American League West at 15-11.
Martin was 4-for-30 with 10 strikeouts against Gray coming into the game, but put together a 2-for-4 night that included both the home run and a bunt base hit in his three at-bats against the A's standout.