OAK 2, SEA 1: Athletics avoid sweep with win over Mariners

SEATTLE, WA - APRIL 15: Jed Lowrie
SEATTLE, WA - APRIL 15: Jed Lowrie

The Oakland Athletics avoided being swept by the Seattle Mariners on Sunday, holding on for a 2-1 victory behind Sean Manaea.

The aforementioned Manaea turned in another solid outing for the Athletics, tossing seven innings with four strikeouts, allowing just two hits and one run.

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Manaea now has a 1.63 ERA on the season and is 2-2. He’s easily been the most impressive pitcher on the team and gives the A’s every chance at a win whenever he’s on the mound.

Felix Hernandez was on the bump for Seattle and had a great outing, allowing five hits and two runs with seven strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings pitched.

Hernandez looked dominant for most of the outing, but a Jed Lowrie two-run shot in the first inning proved to be the difference in this one.

Lowrie finished the game 2-for-4 and is now hitting a tremendous .348 on the season. Even more impressive: Lowrie leads the AL with 23 hits.

Semien continues to sizzle

Semien went 2-for-4 with one run scored in Sunday’s win, but that isn’t the most impressive aspect to come from his performance.

He has safely reached base in all 15 games this season, and has recorded a hit in 13 of those 15 outings. Semien is on a tear to begin the season and the fact that he can get on base so frequently at the top of the order has been highly beneficial to the team.

Semien is hitting .261 on the season with one home run and nine RBI.

Nunez claimed by Rangers

Power-hitting infielder Renato Nunez has been claimed off waivers by the Texas Rangers on Sunday. Losing Nunez is a blow for the Athletics, but they simply had no room for him on the roster with Matt Chapman and Matt Olson holding down the corners.

Next: Athletics lose slug-fest in Seattle

Nunez has a handy amount of upside and should fit in well with the Rangers. The A’s will likely see Nunez often if he remains with Texas, and fans will be keeping a close eye on how he progresses on another roster.