Mariners hold off A’s as Paxton, ‘pen fan 18

For the Mariners to have any chance of getting back into playoff contention, they need a healthy James Paxton. They also need to beat the A’s. Consider Saturday night a shining success on both fronts as Paxton came off the 10-day disabled to allow two hits and three runs over five innings and the Mariners held on for an 8-7 victory over Oakland to pull back within 4 1/2 games in the race for the American League’s second Wild Card berth.