Graveman hit hard in Athletics 14-3 loss to Mariners

As good as Kendall Graveman has been this year, emerging as the Athletics ace in place of injured Sonny Gray, the right-hander still can't figure out how to get past Seattle.

The latest loss to the Mariners was easily Graveman's worst.

Nelson Cruz had three hits and three RBIs, Nori Aoki also had three hits and drove in two runs, and Kyle Seager hit his 28th home run and Seattle beat Oakland 14-3 on Saturday.

Graveman allowed eight runs and a career-high 12 hits over five-plus innings with three walks and one strikeout.

"It's always disappointing no matter how good of a run or how bad of a run you've been on," Graveman said. "To have an outing like that is disappointing but I've learned in the past that you can't dwell on this. You've got to put in the past and continue to work."

Graveman has been able to do that for the most part except when pitching against Seattle.

In four starts against the Mariners this season, Graveman has three losses and a 7.48 ERA. Against everyone else, Graveman is 10-6 with a 3.20 ERA.

"He got behind and then when he came in for a strike those guys swung the bat well," A's manager Bob Melvin said. "Historically (Seattle has) some guys with some good numbers but the way he's been pitching that shouldn't be a factor. It was just one of those games where he was a little bit off and didn't have command of his fastball like he normally does."

Felix Hernandez pitched six scoreless innings to continue his dominance at the Oakland Coliseum and help the Mariners win their fourth straight.

Hernandez (11-5) gave up four hits and a walk in the first two innings then settled in for his second consecutive win. Seattle's six-time All-Star walked one and struck out two for his seventh win since coming off the disabled list.

King Felix also showed he's king of the Coliseum.

Hernandez improved to 12-3 there, tying Tommy John for the most wins by an opposing pitcher at the 50-year-old stadium.

The A's, conversely, continued to struggle at their ballpark. With 41 losses at the Coliseum, Oakland is guaranteed of consecutive losing seasons at home for the first time since 1997-98.

Ryon Healy had three hits including a two-run home run for the A's.

Cruz doubled and scored on Kyle Seager's single in the first. Cruz doubled again in the third and drove in two runs when the Mariners batted around to go up 6-0.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Mariners: Right-hander Tom Wilhelmsen pitched one inning and allowed Healy's home run after being activated from the disabled list before the game. Wilhelmsen had been out since Aug. 26 with back spasms.

Athletics: Sean Manaea (back strain) is scheduled to start Wednesday in Kansas City after throwing 50 pitches in an extended bullpen session without setback. Manaea hasn't pitched in a game since Aug. 29.

UP NEXT

Mariners: LHP James Paxton (4-6) pitches the series finale in his fourth start since coming off the disabled list. Paxton has won both of his career starts against Oakland.

Athletics: RHP Raul Alcantara (0-1) makes his second career start for the A's. Alcantara tied a major league record with three hit batters in the first inning against the Angels on Sept. 5.