SEATTLE (AP) — Rookie starter Joey Estes had five hits in five solid innings after being called up for his first major league win earlier in the day, and the Oakland Athletics beat the Seattle Mariners 8-1 on Saturday night.

Abraham Toro and Brent Rooker hit two-run, run-scoring singles in the third inning to give Oakland a 2-1 lead. Max Schuemann added a three-run double in the eighth and JJ Bleday hit a two-run home run in the ninth as Oakland snapped a two-game losing streak. The A's had lost five of six after a six-game winning streak.

Estes took a liner off his right bicep from Julio Rodríguez in the first inning, but collected the ball for the first pitch and waved to the coach as he took the mound back.

“They knew he was locked up when Julio's line drive lost his biceps, and I didn't realize it,” said A's manager Mark Kotsay. “That kid, I don't know how to describe him really. You do a line drive like that from your biceps, and if the trainers don't come out, you don't want it to be recognized. He got into the dugout and when we finally got to him he was already swollen.”

Cal Raleigh hit his 10th home run, a solo shot in the second inning that gave Seattle a 1-0 lead. But Estes calmed down and after that it was all about athletics.

The A's starters had allowed 55 runs in the last six games, including an 8-1 loss to the Mariners on Friday night, before Estes (1-0) was called up to replace fifth starter Joe Boyle (back injury). He gave up two hits and didn't score on 61 pitches.

“This is great,” Estes said after a bit of bullying in the shower room. “I've worked my whole life to be able to say I got a win, so I'll definitely cherish that.”

Bryce Miller (3-3) threw nine strikeouts and allowed five hits, but started the costly third inning with one of his two walks to Lawrence Butler. The speedy right fielder moved to second on Brett Harris' single and scored on Toro's single to right field. Rooker's shot to the right gave Harris a 2-1 lead.

The story goes on

The Mariners had beaten the A's in 13 of their last 14 games since the start of the 2023 season. They have lost three of their last four and four of six. Seattle had gone 12-1 in Miller's last 13 good starts.

Relievers Mitch Spence, Austin Adams, Lucas Erceg and Michael Kelly combined to give up one hit in the final four innings. Seattle had just three hits and left just one runner on base.

“Early in the series, Oakland improved significantly,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said. “They have a different ball club. They’ve strengthened their bullpen and they have guys who can put the ball in play.”

SCHUEMANN'S REVENGE

The Mariners intentionally walked Shea Langeliers to get to Schuemann in the eighth and load the bases for the shortstop.

“Of course I was a little upset,” said Schuemann. “I saw it as a kind of motivational thing. On my first swing, I made as much swing as I could, you know? And then I thought, “Okay, I need to calm down.”

He then sent the ball into the left field corner to put the play out of reach.

RALEIGH'S BIG BAT

Raleigh is the first AL catcher to hit 10 or more home runs in his team's first 40 games since Jorge Posada of the Yankees in 2003. Three NL catchers have achieved this feat in the same time frame.

Squad changes

The A's optioned LHP Easton Lucas to Triple-A Las Vegas when they recalled Estes to start.

NEXT

Athletics: LHP Alex Wood (1-2, 5.30) closes the series. He is 1-0 with a 1.72 ERA in his last three starts.

Mariners: RHP Luis Castillo (3-5, 3.54) is first in the AL and fourth in the majors with 56 strikeouts.

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