14:56 p.m.: R.A. Dickey now takes a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the eighth after Jose Lopez opened the scoring in the top of the frame. Lopez notched a leadoff double past the third base bag to lead things off against Santiago Casilla. He advanced to third on a flyout, then saw Adrian Beltre walked. Jose Vidro then chopped one towards the hole at second base for an infield single that scored the run.

Jeremy Reed looked at a fastball down the middle from Jerry Blevins on a full count with the bases loaded to end the threat.

1:54 p.m.: We're still scoreless heading into the bottom of the fifth inning. Both teams have three hits apiece, with the biggest chance going to the A's when they loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the first. Miguel Cairo led off the fifth inning with a single against A's starter Greg Smith. But the lefty promptly picked Cairo off as he leaned off the bag.

A's right fielder Ryan Sweeney left the game in the third inning when he dislocated his pinky finger as he attempted to steal second. Sweeney was thrown out on the play.

R.A. Dickey has retired 13 of his last 15 batters faced.

12:50 p.m.: Still scoreless after an inning of play. A double and two walks helped the A's load the bases with one out against R.A. Dickey. But then Emil Brown grounded one to Richie Se...er, Miguel Cairo at first base and he thre home for the force out. Carlos Gonzalez then grounded out to the shortstop.

The Mariners got a two-out single from Raul Ibanez in the top of the first inning, but Adrian Beltre grounded out to second.

For the reader who asked me whether Richie Sexson was popular in the clubhouse -- yes, pretty popular amongst some players. He seemed a likeable guy the times I spoke with him. He'd been in a tough spot lately. Knew he was going to be let go at some point. I can see why the team would release him if he is going to be unhappy and show it everytime he sits out. He still has influence on players in that clubhouse. You don't want his locker to become the village square for all beefs and gripes in the clubhouse. Not if you know you're going to release him at some point anyway. If he had another year or two left on his contract, it would be a different story. Not saying he was trying to be a clubhouse cancer. I think he handled his tough situation as best he could. But he still had the potential to become a distraction, however unintentional it would have been.

The lineups:

MARINERS (36-55)

16 Willie Bloomquist RF
4 Jose Lopez 2B
28 Raul Ibanez LF
29 Adrian Beltre 3B
3 Jose Vidro DH
2 Kenji Johjima C
13 Miguel Cairo 1B
8 Jeremy Reed CF
5 Yuniesky Betancourt SS

41 R.A. Dickey RHP

ATHLETICS (49-42)

14 Mark Ellis 2B
15 Ryan Sweeney RF
45 Wes Bankston 1B
32 Jack Cust DH
8 Emil Brown LF
28 Carlos Gonazalez CF
18 Rob Bowen C
12 Donnie Murphy SS
22 Jack Hannahan 3B

23 Greg Smith LHP