Springs ends long wait as A’s win fourth straight

The Athletics have won four straight for the first time since June 9-13. That previous run included two wins over Milwaukee followed by two against Colorado at Las Vegas Ballpark.

Springs finally breaks through

Springs entered Saturday 3-13 after starting the season 3-0. His previous victory came April 14 against Texas.

This time, Seattle never broke through against him. Springs retired the first five Mariners before walking J.P. Crawford in the second, then struck out Taylor Ward to end the inning.

After that, Springs continued to control Seattle. Cal Raleigh singled in the fourth for the Mariners’ first hit, but Crawford struck out to end the inning.

Springs then retired Seattle in order in both the fifth and sixth. Raleigh singled again to open the seventh, but Josh Naylor immediately grounded into a double play.

Crawford grounded out to end the inning and Springs’ night. In the end, Springs completed seven scoreless innings on 81 pitches and lowered his ERA to 6.02.

Muncy stays hot

Muncy gave Springs an early lead with two outs in the second. His 428-foot solo homer off George Kirby was his ninth of the season.

It also marked Muncy’s second consecutive game with a home run. He was one of four Athletics to homer during Friday’s record-tying third inning.

The A’s added another run in the third. Alika Williams singled before Henry Bolte doubled him home for a 2-0 lead.

Then Zack Gelof singled and stole second in the fourth. Muncy followed with an RBI single before Donovan Walton doubled home Muncy, extending the advantage to 4-0.

Muncy finished 2-for-4 with two runs and two RBIs. Williams also collected two hits, while the Athletics finished 3-for-5 with runners in scoring position.

Butler adds insurance

Seattle still had not scored when Butler provided another cushion in the eighth. Jeff McNeil singled before Gelof replaced him on a forceout.

Then Butler drove Michael Rucker’s first pitch to left-center for a two-run homer. It was Butler’s 13th home run and gave the Athletics a 6-0 lead.

Geoff Hartlieb replaced Springs in the bottom half and allowed Seattle’s first run on Dominic Canzone’s two-out RBI single. Elvis Alvarado handled the ninth and allowed another run on a wild pitch.

Still, Alvarado finished the inning without further damage. The A’s improved to 57-86 and have won the first three games of the four-game series.

They are 2½ games ahead of the Angels in the AL West and 1½ games ahead of Colorado in the overall standings. Los Angeles owns the majors’ worst record at 54-88.

Up next

The Athletics will go for a four-game sweep Sunday at T-Mobile Park. Gage Jump is scheduled to start against Seattle right-hander Bryan Woo.