The Seattle Mariners watched Oakland make a playoff push with a pair of dramatic weekend wins.So close sometimes, these Mariners. They missed chances in the early innings, just as they did all series in being swept.
Yoenis Cespedes hit a go-ahead homer in the eighth inning to move Oakland a win closer to the club's first playoff berth in six years, and the A's beat Seattle 5-2 on Sunday to stay right on the heels of Texas in the AL West race.
"That's really been the story of our season offensively," Mariners manager Eric Wedge said. "Without a doubt these kids have gotten better individually, but collectively we've got to do better when you do create those opportunities and finish things off. ... At certain times you just have to put the ball in play, shorten up and make contact. From an offensive standpoint we have a lot to work on."
The A's provided a nice example of what is working so well for the surprising, low-budget club.
Cespedes also hit an RBI triple and Brandon Moss had a sacrifice fly in the first inning for the A's (91-68), who are two games behind Texas (93-66).
The two-time reigning AL champion Rangers come to the Coliseum for the final three games starting Monday with the division crown still up for grabs.

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