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Originally published July 7, 2008 at 12:00 AM | Page modified July 8, 2008 at 12:00 AM

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A's snap home losing skid against M's, 4-3

Wes Bankston hit his first career home run, Dana Eveland won his third straight decision and the Oakland Athletics ended an eight-game home losing skid to the Seattle Mariners with a 4-3 win on Monday night.

The Associated Press

OAKLAND, Calif. — Wes Bankston hit his first career home run, Dana Eveland won his third straight decision and the Oakland Athletics ended an eight-game home losing skid to the Seattle Mariners with a 4-3 win on Monday night.

Bankston, called up from Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday when the A's placed shortstop Bobby Crosby on the disabled list, hit a two-run home run off Seattle starter Jarrod Washburn in the fifth inning as Oakland rallied for the win. Bankston also doubled and scored in the second, raising his average to .391 since being promoted to the majors.

Ryan Sweeney's RBI-single in the fifth drove in Gregorio Petit with the eventual game-winning run for the A's, who hadn't beaten the Mariners at the Coliseum since July 5, 2007.

Seattle fell to 7-10 under interim manager Jim Riggleman.

Eveland (7-5) picked up the win despite a shaky outing. The right-hander gave up three runs in the first and pitched with runners in scoring position in five of the first six innings. He left after allowing nine hits over 5 1-3 innings.

Huston Street, the last of three Oakland relievers, pitched the ninth for his 17th save in 20 opportunities but it wasn't easy. A throwing error by third baseman Jack Hannahan allowed Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki to reach second base with one out, and Street walked Jose Lopez before getting Raul Ibanez to pop out and Adrian Beltre to fly to left to end the game.

Beltre finished 4-for-5 and Richie Sexson added a three-run home run for the Mariners.

Sexson, who has struggled all season, homered off Eveland in the first inning. It was the first home run allowed by Eveland in eight starts, a stretch of 42 1-3 innings.

The A's made up for their starting pitcher's struggles by turning three double plays, getting help in the fifth when Beltre failed to re-touch third base after rounding the bag on a fly out by Kenji Johjima. Rookie center fielder Carlos Gonzalez also made a strong play to throw out Willie Bloomquist at the plate in the second after Ibanez singled.

Washburn (4-8) gave up four runs in eight innings.

The game was a reunion for Riggleman and A's manager Bob Geren. Riggleman, who took over the Mariners' job after John McLaren was fired on June 19, managed Geren twice in the minors and with San Diego in 1993.

Notes:@All four of Beltre's hits were singles. ... Oakland DH Frank Thomas underwent an MRI on Monday but the results were not immediately available. Thomas is on the DL with a right quadriceps injury. ... The Mariners plan to push LHP Erik Bedard's next start back and Riggleman acknowledged the team is considering shelving their ace until after the All-Star break. Bedard (4-5) has won his last two starts but has been bothered by tightness in his pitching shoulder. ... Seattle expects closer J.J. Putz to make at least two rehab appearances before coming off the DL following the All-Star break.

Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company

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