Athletics aim to show further improvement vs. Mariners

(Photo credit: D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports)
The Oakland Athletics hope improved play of late results in more wins when they open a six-game homestand Tuesday night against the red-hot Seattle Mariners.

The A's were outscored just 26-25 on a 2-4 trip to Tampa Bay and Atlanta last week, losing two one-run decisions to the Rays and a pair oftwo-runners to the Braves.

A pitching staff that had been torched for 17 runs