OAKLAND, Calif. -- After more than two weeks of close games decided by three runs or fewer, the Seattle Mariners finally had a relaxing ninth inning.Seattle also inched closer to division-leading Texas -- a small but significant step for manager Scott Servais ballclub.Kyle Seager doubled twice and drove in four runs and the Mariners won for the eighth time in nine games, beating the Oakland Athletics 8-4 on Sunday.Its nice to build a little bit of a lead there and really let our pitchers settle in and not throw quite as many stressful pitches, Seager said. Weve been putting pretty good at-bats, top to bottom. I like the way our offense is swinging the bat.Adam Lind homered, Nori Aoki had three singles and Shawn OMalley added two hits and scored twice for Seattle.The Mariners moved within 5 1/2 games of AL West-leading Texas, matching the closest theyve been to the division leaders since early June.A lot of guys chipped in, contributed, Servais said. We needed it. To go out and win the series, you need to score a few runs in the last game, and we got it done today.Wade LeBlanc (2-0) gave up three runs over six innings to earn his second win since being acquired from Toronto in June. The lefty struck out seven and walked one.Khris Davis hit his third home run in three days. He became the first As player with at least 30 homers since Brandon Moss hit 30 in 2013.Im just trying to do me and help the club out and have fun with the boys, Davis said.Ryon Healy and Brett Eibner also homered for the As.Zach Neal (2-2) allowed five runs and eight hits in 5 1/3 innings.Every Seattle player except designated hitter Dae-Ho Lee had at least one hit. Lee, a late lineup addition, was hit by a pitch in the fourth.Lind homered in the second. Seager hit an RBI double in the third and a three-run double in the sixth.The Mariners also scored in the fourth after an inning-ending double play was overturned by replay. OMalley singled in Lee following the reversal.COLLISION COURSELind is significantly bigger than OMalley but it hardly mattered when the Mariners first baseman and shortstop collided chasing a pop-up near the mound in the third inning. Lind crashed to the ground while OMalley, who made the catch, barely moved. Second baseman Robinson Cano helped Lind to his feet then playfully held up two fingers to see if Lind was coherent.Shawn always talks about he was a really good football player, that he might have been a better football player than baseball player in high school, Seager said. Im kind of starting to believe him. But he kind of hit a helpless receiver there.TRAINERS ROOMMariners: Lee was in the lineup after Seth Smith was a late scratch due to a right foot contusion. ... James Paxton emerged from his bullpen session feeling fine and is slated to start Tuesday in Anaheim. Paxton was hit in his left elbow by a line drive in his previous outing Aug. 7.Athletics: Right-hander Jesse Hahn (right shoulder strain) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Nashville on Tuesday.UP NEXTMariners: RHP Felix Hernandez (6-4) pitches Monday in Anaheim and will be going for his 16th career win against the Angels.Athletics: LHP Ross Detwiler (1-0) makes his second start for Oakland when the As open a three-game series in Texas on Monday. Detwiler pitched eight scoreless innings against Baltimore in his debut on Aug. 10. Marwin Gonzalez Twins Jersey . "Four now," Carl Gunnarsson told the Leaf Report proudly following a 5-2 victory over New York on Tuesday night, the clubs fifth straight at home. Miguel Sano Jersey . It just didnt show when he hit the ice. Berra made 42 saves and Kris Russell scored at 1:32 of overtime, lifting the Calgary Flames to a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday night. https://www.cheaptwins.com/982t-sean-poppen-jersey-twins.html .C. -- Rodney Hood connected from all over the court while freshman Jabari Parker was busy swatting shots and scoring in transition. Jorge Polanco Twins Jersey . -- For the first time in two months, an opponent was standing up to Alabama. Sergio Romo Jersey . -- New England Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis is retiring after a 16-year career to become the goalie coach for the Los Angeles Galaxy. FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Atlanta Falcons veteran defensive end Dwight Freeney firmly believes teammate Vic Beasley Jr. deserves strong consideration for Defensive Player of the Year.Beasley, named the NFCs Defensive Player of the Week on Wednesday, is tied with Super Bowl MVP Von Miller for the league lead in sacks with 13.5. Beasley also leads the league with six forced fumbles, including one he returned for a touchdown in last weeks 42-14 win over the Los Angeles Rams.Just because of his game-changing abilities and the things that hes done, the seven-time Pro Bowler Freeney said of Beasleys credentials. With sacks, I understand thats a big deal. To have him tied with a guy like Von Miller, its a big deal. And I think guys should be rewarded for the good years that they have.As of right now, this defense and our team is doing probably a little better than the Broncos at this point. I think that speaks volumes to some of the playmaking ability that Vics done this year. And I think it would bee great to see his name be mentioned.ddddddddddddMiller is certain to earn consideration coming off the Super Bowl. Other logical candidates include Oakland Raiders defensive end/linebacker?Khalil Mack,?New York Giants safety Landon Collins, Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald, and Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner.Nothing against Von -- I think Vons a great talent and great player as well, Freeney said, but I think Vic is having a special year, so having a special year should be rewarded.Beasley appreciated the high praise from Freeney.That means a lot, coming from a guy like Dwight, Beasley said. He knows what it takes, the qualities and the statistics that are required. Its a blessing to hear that from him.Houstons J.J. Watt, who is on injured reserve with a back injury, has won the AP Defensive Player of the Year honor the past two seasons. ' ' '