OAKLAND, Calif., Sept. 15 (UPI) -- The Seattle offense finally came around with 10 hits Sunday and Joel Pineiro and two relievers combined on a six-hitter as the Mariners kept alive their fading playoff chances with a 6-3 triumph over the Oakland Athletics.
Seattle climbed within eight games of the wild card-leading Athletics, who began the day tied for first place in the AL West with the Anaheim angels.
In reeling off an AL-record 116 wins last season, the Mariners used a combination of clutch pitching and timely hitting. They applied that formula through the first half of 2002 but have struggled since the All-Star break, going 30-31.
While Seattle has floundered, the A's and Angels have taken advantage.
On Sunday, the Mariners finally broke through against Oakland pitching. After being shut out the first two games of the series, Seattle scored a run in the first inning and two in the third. The Mariners grabbed the lead for good in the sixth, taking advantage of sloppy defense by the A's.
Pineiro (14-6) made his biggest start of the year a solid one, allowing three runs and five hits in six innings. He walked two and matched a season high with seven strikeouts.
Arthur Rhodes struck out three over two scoreless innings before Kazuhiro Sasaki retired the side in order in the ninth for his 35th save.
Oakland starter Ted Lilly gave up three runs and four hits in three innings. Rookie Aaron Harang (5-4) followed and was victimized by second baseman Ray Durham's error in the sixth.
