Seager, Hart homer to rally Mariners past A’s, 2-1

Seattle Mariners' Kyle Seager, right, is congratulated by teammate Corey Hart (27) after hitting a solo home run off Oakland Athletics pitcher Jon Lester during the seventh inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) Seattle Mariners' Kyle Seager, right, is congratulated by teammate Corey Hart (27) after hitting a solo home run off Oakland Athletics pitcher Jon Lester during the seventh inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

By Associated Press September 3, 2014 3 min read

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) – Kyle Seager and Corey Hart homered leading off the seventh inning and the Seattle Mariners beat the Oakland Athletics 2-1 on Wednesday to win the three-game series between the AL playoff contenders.

The home runs erased a stellar start by Jon Lester (13-10) and helped Mariners ace Felix Hernandez (14-5) win for the first time in four outings.

Adam Dunn homered in the fourth for the only run Hernandez allowed in eight innings. Hernandez gave up three hits, struck out four and walked two to outduel Lester in a matchup of two of the AL’s best pitchers. The Mariners tagged Lester for seven hits in eight innings.

Fernando Rodney pitched a perfect ninth for his 41st save in 44 chances.

The A’s have lost seven of nine, including a four-game series at the AL West-leading Los Angeles Angels before dropping two of three to Seattle at the Coliseum. The Mariners remain right behind Detroit and Oakland in the chase for the AL’s two wild cards.