Parker, A's Beat Mariners 2-1 to Secure Series Win

Well, it was another close, hard-fought ballgame this afternoon, but when was all said and done, the A's defeated the Mariners to get back to 2 games under .500, and won another series before they face the best of the best tomorrow. Believe it or not (and you probably believe it), the A's only had two hits, but in what is unusual for them, they made them both count. It was that kind of a day; where only the longball could score a run. The leadoff homerun by Coco Crisp provided the first run, and after the Mariners tied it on a solo homerun of their own in the second, the A's took a lead they would never relinquish on a Cepedes homerun.

Millwood left in the third inning after an apparent injury, leaving the Seattle bullpen to finish the game. They only made one real mistake, but it was enough to secure the A's win. Jarrod Parker, meanwhile, was fabulous in his seven innings, even if he did walk four. Balfour was perfect in his set-up inning, and things got interesting in the ninth for Cook. He retired the first batter, but an error by the usually sure-gloved Brandon Inge put a runner on with one out. I really, really thought they would lose the game when Cook hit a batter with two outs, bringing Ichiro up, but believe it or not, Cook struck him out to give the A's the series win.

Great win, and it was just what they needed after the disappointing Giants' series. The A's now face the Rangers in Arlington for four, and I'm not saying that it matters, but if they keep up the pitching, it might be interesting.