Takeaway

The Mariners (1-3) continued their sub-par start to the 2015 season Friday night when they were routed 12-0 by the Athletics (box score) in the opener of a three-game series at O.co Coliseum. Using a right-hand-heavy lineup, Seattle had no answer for LHP Drew Pomeranz (two hits, no walks and six strikeouts over seven innings). RHP Taijaun Walker (0-1) was blitzed in his season debut by Oakland’s new-look lineup.

Essential moment

Already trailing 5-0 entering the fourth, the Mariners’ prospect of winning was wiped out when CF Sam Fuld and DH Billy Butler had RBI singles. Later in the inning, 1B Ike Davis drove in two with a bases-loaded double. SS Marcus Semien tacked on two more with a single.

Pitchers

Walker’s first start was a nightmare. The 22-year-old lasted 3.1 innings and had little pitch movement or location. He allowed nine runs, all earned, on nine hits and two walks. He gave up three runs in a 37-pitch first inning, two in the second on a home run by rookie LF Mark Canha — a career first.

Walker went 4-0 with a 0.67 ERA in seven Cactus League starts to win a spot in the rotation.

Hitters

The Mariners never put pressure on Pomeranz or Oakland’s bullpen. Three hits — two singles from CF Austin Jackson and a single from 3B Kyle Seager.

Words

Manager Lloyd McClendon: “If he pitches long enough in this league that’s going to happen again. That’s baseball. We were on the receiving end. We’ll give a few of those this year as well.

“I thought he made great pitches.It was just their night. I thought he threw some good change-ups, some good breaking balls. Early on everything was falling in for them.”

Noteworthy

Mariners RF Seth Smith was unavailable for the third consecutive game because of tightness in his groin. McClendon hinted that Smith will return to the lineup Saturday . . .  Smith went 3-for-3 with two doubles, a triple and a pair of RBIs in Seattle’s Opening Day win over the Angels.

Next

Seattle goes against Oakland ace Sonny Gray (1-0) Saturday at 1:05 p.m.. In his season opener, Gray carried a no-hit bid into the eighth inning. He allowed one hit over eight frames in an 8-0 win over the Rangers. The Mariners counter with LHP J.A. Happ in his first start with the club after it sent RF Michael Saunders to the Blue Jays for the veteran.