Mariners stumble again in playoff push, Butler’s 9th-inning homer lifts A’s to 8-7 win

In a Sunday showdown at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, the Athletics managed to overcome a four-run deficit and defeat the Seattle Mariners 8-7, thanks to a two-run homer by Lawrence Butler in the ninth inning. This victory leaves the Mariners five games behind in the American League West with 12 games remaining in the regular season.

Lawrence Butler's second home run of the game, hit off Seattle's Andrés Muñoz, proved to be the pivotal moment as the Athletics clawed their way back from behind. The A's took five of seven games from Seattle in an 11-day span, including a win on Friday thanks to Donovan Walton's 10th-inning homer.

Randy Arozarena led the Mariners with a pair of home runs and four RBIs, while Gabe Speier contributed with a pinch-hitter single against Seranthony Domínguez. However, Muñoz's performance in the ninth was far from stellar, as he blew his save opportunity for the 10th time in 37 chances. He stranded a runner at third base and allowed Zack Gelof's leadoff single in the ninth inning.

Elvis Alvarado performed well on the mound for the Athletics, pitching a one-hit ninth inning. The Mariners will look to bounce back when Kade Anderson starts against the Angels on Monday, while the Athletics will face Tampa Bay's Griffin Jax in a matchup of left-handers on Tuesday.