Cespedes helps MLB's Athletics to 4-1 win over Mariners

Yoenis Cespedes hit a two-run homer to help Oakland Athletics beat Seattle Mariners 4-1 to wind up the US Major League Baseball opening series on Thursday in Tokyo. Trailing 0-1 in the bottom of the seventh inning, the outfielder homered off relief pitcher Shawn Kelly, with Kurt Suzuki on first base to take a 2-1 lead. "I know he (Kelly) tries to go for a slider, so I tried to adjust for it. That is the only way that I can hit the ball," said Cespedes. Josh Reddick followed him by hitting another home run to make it 3-1 and Jonny Gomes added one more in the eighth inning for 4-1. Athletics starting pitcher Bartolo Colon got off to a perfect start, shutting out the first four innings without giving a single hit. He gave Jesus Montero and Miguel Olivo two single hits in the fifth inning and a walk to face his first crisis with the three bases full, but Mariners infielder Brendan Ryan grounded out. The Mariners broke the deadlock in the top of the seventh inning when infielder Justin Smoak hit a one-run homer off Colon for a 1-0 lead. Mariners starter Jason Vargas also pitched a solid game, giving only one single in the first inning, one double in the fifth and a walk in the sixth, in seven and 1/3 innings. Athletics coach Bob Melvin praised Colon's pitching, saying: "He is a perfect guy to pitch a game like this. "Losing the game last night in a tough game and he just goes out there and does his things. "My heart was beating a lot faster than his was. He's been around for a long time. I don't think anything will affect him on a big stage like this." Japan's star outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, who fired four single hits on Wednesday, ended the day without a hit. In the season-opening game on Wednesday, Dustin Ackley fired a game-winning home run to give the Mariners a 3-1 win.