Oakland Athletics (75-85) at Seattle Mariners (60-101), 4:10 p.m.

By Sports Network | The Sports Network • Published September 28, 2008

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The Seattle Mariners try and finish their season with a three-game sweep of the Oakland Athletics this afternoon at Safeco Field.

After winning the series opener on Friday, Seattle made it two in a row on Saturday, as Kenji Johjima hit a three-run homer as part of a six-run first, helping the Mariners to a 7-3 victory.

Ryan Rowland-Smith (5-3) allowed three runs on nine hits and two walks in 6 2/3 innings, with five strikeouts, to earn the win. Sean Green shut out the Athletics for the final 2 1/3 innings to earn his first career save.

Yuniesky Betancourt went 3-for-3 and scored twice while Miguel Cairo and Wladimir Balentien each drove in two runs for Seattle, which will close its campaign with its worst mark since losing 102 games in 1983.

Greg Smith (7-16) struggled for Oakland, surrendering six runs -- five earned -- and five hits while walking two and striking out three to take the loss.

Cliff Pennington and Travis Buck each had two hits and an RBI for Oakland, which has lost four straight.

Heading to the hill for the Mariners today will be righty R.A. Dickey, who is 4-8 with 5.23 ERA. Dickey hasn't started since he was pounded by the Chicago White Sox back on August 20 for eight runs and six hits in two innings.

Dickey is 0-4 lifetime against the A's with a 6.82 ERA in nine games, six of which have been starts.

Oakland will counter with lefty Josh Outman, who is 1-1 with a 4.58 ERA. Outman did not get a decision his last time out on Tuesday against the Texas Rangers, as he allowed three runs and 10 hits in six innings of a 6-4 win.

Outman has never faced the Mariners.

Oakland is 10-8 against the Mariners so far this season and has lost five of the nine battles between the squads in Seattle in 2008.