OAKLAND -- Justin Smoak had three RBIs as the Mariners bookended big first and ninth innings to earn their fourth straight win on Tuesday night at the O.co Coliseum. With their 8-3 triumph over the first-place A's, Seattle has won nine of its last 11 games.For the second straight night, the Mariners set the tone early, putting together a three-run first inning against Oakland righty Jesse Chavez and giving rookie southpaw Roenis Elias a nice cushion.Chavez has established himself as one of the surprise stories in baseball this year, going from journeyman to one of the American League's top starters to begin the year. But he couldn't slow down Seattle in the first frame, the same problem that hurt A's lefty Scott Kazmir on Monday. 
Making his first big league start, No. 2 hitter James Jones (2-for-5) laced a single into right field in the first inning before coming around to score on a Chavez wild pitch. Smoak then made it 2-0 with a double down the left-field line to drive home Robinson Cano, setting up Dustin Ackley's RBI single two batters later.Things could have been worse for Chavez if A's right fielder Craig Gentry hadn't made a nice leaping grab at the warning track to retire Corey Hart with two runners on base.Elias, coming off the best start of his career -- a 10-strikeout gem at Yankee Stadium, was fortunate to get the early support.Oakland took advantage of an Elias wild pitch in the bottom of the second, as Nick Punto singled up the middle to score Gentry and Moss to cut the A's deficit to 3-2.Mike Zunino extended Seattle's lead back to two runs in the sixth with a sac fly, but Yoenis Cespedes got the run back with a solo shot in the bottom of the frame.Elias (3-2, 3.27 ERA) earned the victory after going 6 1/3 innings, giving up three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out six.Chavez (2-1, 2.47 ERA) lasted 5 2/3 innings in the loss, allowing four runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out three.The Mariners put the game away against A's closer Jim Johnson in the ninth, plating four runs on two hits, two walks and an error, with Smoak's single giving him two more RBIs.It was just the latest in what's been a successful road trip for the Mariners, who are now 6-1 during their swing through the Bronx, Houston and Oakland. For the first time since since June 21, 2011, Seattle (16-15) holds a winning record when the calendar doesn't read April.Alex Espinoza / Special to MLB.com
Making his first big league start, No. 2 hitter James Jones (2-for-5) laced a single into right field in the first inning before coming around to score on a Chavez wild pitch. Smoak then made it 2-0 with a double down the left-field line to drive home Robinson Cano, setting up Dustin Ackley's RBI single two batters later.Things could have been worse for Chavez if A's right fielder Craig Gentry hadn't made a nice leaping grab at the warning track to retire Corey Hart with two runners on base.Elias, coming off the best start of his career -- a 10-strikeout gem at Yankee Stadium, was fortunate to get the early support.Oakland took advantage of an Elias wild pitch in the bottom of the second, as Nick Punto singled up the middle to score Gentry and Moss to cut the A's deficit to 3-2.Mike Zunino extended Seattle's lead back to two runs in the sixth with a sac fly, but Yoenis Cespedes got the run back with a solo shot in the bottom of the frame.Elias (3-2, 3.27 ERA) earned the victory after going 6 1/3 innings, giving up three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out six.Chavez (2-1, 2.47 ERA) lasted 5 2/3 innings in the loss, allowing four runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out three.The Mariners put the game away against A's closer Jim Johnson in the ninth, plating four runs on two hits, two walks and an error, with Smoak's single giving him two more RBIs.It was just the latest in what's been a successful road trip for the Mariners, who are now 6-1 during their swing through the Bronx, Houston and Oakland. For the first time since since June 21, 2011, Seattle (16-15) holds a winning record when the calendar doesn't read April.Alex Espinoza / Special to MLB.com
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