SEATTLE, Aug. 5 (UPI) -- Barry Zito scattered one run and seven hits over seven innings Friday night to help Oakland beat the Seattle Mariners, 5-2.
Marco Scutaro had one run, three hits, including a solo home run, and two RBI; while Frank Thomas and Mark Ellis each hit RBI singles for the Athletics (58-51), who won for the sixth time in their last 10 games.
Zito (12-7) had three walks and two strikeouts.
Richie Sexson hit a solo homer; Raul Ibanez hit an RBI single; and Jose Lopez had two of the nine hits for the Mariners (53-55), who lost for only the third time in their last 10 games.
Losing pitcher Jarrod Washburn (5-11) surrendered four runs and eight hits in seven innings with three walks and one strikeout.
Oakland has a 2 1/2 game lead on the second-place Texas in the American League West Division.
