Hernandez, Cruz Lead Seattle Past Oakland 8-2

SEATTLE (AP) — Felix Hernandez made just two mistakes in eight strong innings, Nelson Cruz hit his AL-leading 39th homer and drove in three runs and the Seattle Mariners beat the Oakland Athletics 8-2 on Wednesday.

Seattle closed out its brief homestand with Hernandez rebounding after getting knocked around in his last start against the Chicago White Sox.

Hernandez (15-8) allowed a homer to Billy Burns on the first pitch of the game and a solo homer to Brett Lawrie on the first pitch of the seventh inning. Oakland's only other hit off Hernandez was a soft single from Billy Butler in the fifth.

Hernandez struck out seven, walked one and became the second AL pitcher to reach 15 wins.

Cruz's homer came in the eighth, but it was an early offensive outburst that backed Hernandez. Seattle sent 10 batters to the plate in the first and scored four times that inning off Chris Bassitt (1-6).