TOM MURPHY

Jose Suarez threw five strong innings, Brandon Marsh accounted for all the offense with a two-run double, and the Los Angeles Angels landed a major blow to Seattle’s postseason hopes by beating the Mariners 2-1.

Health experts say this fall’s crowded college and professional football stadiums could create ripe conditions for COVID-19 to spread among unvaccinated fans.

Mariners Athletics Baseball Seattle Mariners' Abraham Toro, left, celebrates with Kyle Seager after both scored on a two-run single by Luis Torrens during the third inning of a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021. Luis Torrens hit a tiebreaking two-run single, Chris Flexen stayed solid into the seventh inning and Seattle swept a two-game series against the Oakland Athletics with a 5-1 win Tuesday. “Somebody just told me our run differential was minus-nine on this trip but our fun differential was about plus-90,” Servais said, smiling. Mitch Moreland hit an RBI single for Oakland in the first before Jarred Kelenic tied it at 1 with a single of his own in the second. Elvis Andrus hit a two-out double in the seventh and Mark Canha walked to chase Flexen, but Oakland came up empty.

Luis Torrens hit a tiebreaking two-run single, Chris Flexen pitched neatly into the seventh inning and the Seattle Mariners swept a quick two-game series against the Oakland Athletics with a 5-1 win.

It was the 10th time in major league history that opposing brothers both went deep in a game. The teams combined for seven long balls, marking the second straight game there have been seven or more at Chavez Ravine. He had a three-run drive to right field during the second inning that gave Los Angeles a short-lived 6-2 advantage. Los Angeles' Ross Stripling struggled for the second straight outing, allowing three homers and seven runs (six earned) in three innings. Los Angeles RHP Tony Gonsolin (0-0) has not allowed a run over 8 2/3 innings in two previous starts this season.

(AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)About 10 Major League Baseball umpires have opted out this season, choosing not to work games in the shortened schedule because of concerns over the coronavirus. There are 76 full-time MLB umpires and more than 20 of them are age 55 or over. A deal between MLB and its umpires reached during the virus shutdown ensured that if even one regular-season game was played this season, the umps were guaranteed 37.5% of their salaries. Minus 10 or more MLB umpires, many Triple-A umps will work the two-month season. Just as MLB redrew the schedule amid the virus outbreak, umpires are certain to see a shift, too.