Julio Rodríguez doubled and scored a run before suffering from a stiff lower back that forced him to leave the game that the Seattle Mariners won 9-5 over the Oakland Athletics on Thursday.
The Mariners overcame the loss of their young Dominican star to avoid being swept in the three-game series.
The rookie center fielder walked off the field along with a physical trainer in the bottom of the first inning. He recently missed three games at Anaheim with a lower back injury.
Jarred Kelenic moved from left field to center, while Sam Haggerty entered the game in left field. Kelenic homered and doubled in his first game since being called up from Triple-A Tacoma.
Adam Frazier went 2-for-4 with three RBIs. Mitch Haniger, Cal Raleigh, Jesse Winker and Ty France also drove in runs for Seattle, which began the day with a four-game lead over Baltimore for the third and final AL wild-card playoff berth. .
Matthew Boyd (2-0) pitched two scoreless innings for his second win with Seattle. Kirby Snead (1-1) was the loser.
For the Mariners, the Dominicans Rodríguez 1-1 with a run scored, Carlos Santana 4-0. The Venezuelans Abraham Toro 1-0, Luis Torrens 2-0.
For the Athletics, Puerto Rican Vimael Machín 4-1 with a run scored. Colombian Jordan Diaz 4-0.