Coughlan's homer in 9th gives Oakland a 3-2 win over Seattle, spoils Mariners' home opener
Former Mariners great Ken Griffey Jr. throws out the ceremonial first pitch to Felix Hernandez #34 prior to the Mariners' home opener against the Oakland Athletics at Safeco Field on April 8, 2016 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Gett
SEATTLE (AP) — Chris Coughlan hit a solo home run with one out in the top of the ninth inning off closer Steve Cishek to give the Oakland Athletics a 3-2 win over the Marinerson Friday night in Seattle's home opener.
The largest regular season crowd in Safeco Field history — 47,065 — watched to-be Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Then they saw the Mariners new closer give up a long ball in the ninth.
Coughlan turned on a 1-2 pitch on the inside corner from Cishek (0-1) and lined it down the right field line for his first homer of the season and the first run allowed by Seattle's bullpen.
Josh Reddick also homered for Oakland, which took a 2-0 lead before Seattle rallied thanks to a solo home run from Dae-Ho Lee.
Sean Doolittle (1-1) pitched the eighth inning.