'75 A's and '01 Mariners split in KOD7 Opener

Seattle (Hopcroft) vs. Oakland (Crouch)

GAME 1: OAK 2 SEA 1

GAME 2: SEA 5 OAK 4

GAME 3: SEA 9 OAK 2

GAME 4: OAK 5, SEA

The Mariners and A's opened their season evenly matched, and closed their series the same way as they split a 4-game set. Each took a game on their opponent's home field; the offenses were muted at Safeco but opened up in Oakland Coliseum.

TURNING POINT: When the games were played in Safeco, the pitching dominated. But in Oakland John Olerud exploded for two home runs in Game 3, to be countered in game 4 by Gene Tenace, a display of opportune power that preserved the split.

SERIES MVP: In the 7th inning of game 4, Oakland starter Stan Bahnsen was ejected for arguing a called Ball 4. Paul Lindblad, who had not been warming up, came in and prevented further damage, slowing a mariners rally and giving Rollie Fingers the chance to preserve the win.

--submitted by Michael Hopcroft--