Mariners Dramatically Move Ahead of the Slumping Angels

The Seattle Mariners moved into first place in the American League West, rallying from a six-run deficit to beat Oakland, 10-7, Friday night on a grand slam by Vince Coleman and a go-ahead homer by Alex Diaz.

A crowd of 51,500 at the Kingdome saw Ken Griffey Jr. and Edgar Martinez also homer for Seattle, which took a one-game lead over Angels, who lost their eighth in a row, 8-3, to Texas.

Never before had the Mariners been alone in first place past May during their 19-year history.

Coleman’s first career slam capped a six-run sixth that made it 6-6. Griffey began the inning with his 15th homer, marking the third consecutive game he has connected.

Martinez opened the eighth with a homer that tied it at seven. One out later, Diaz hit a pinch-hit homer for the lead.