(Photo credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images)

Even veteran major leaguers want to make a good first impression.

But Rob Refsnyder had plenty on his mind this spring.

After going hitless in his first 18 at-bats this season, Refsnyder homered on the first pitch of the bottom of the first inning from Texas' MacKenzie Gore, sparking the host Seattle Mariners to a 5-2 series-clinching victory Sunday.

J.P. Crawford and Randy Arozarena also went deep and Bryan Woo pitched seven strong innings as the Mariners won their second straight game.

The Mariners are scheduled to open a three-game home series against the American League West rival Athletics on Monday.

'You never want to be in a slump, especially early in the year, new team, new city,' said Refsnyder, 35. 'So I've definitely been hard on myself. ...

'As an older guy, you try to preach having a routine and don't worry about the results. But sometimes when it's happening to you, it's hard to think like that. But it keeps a good perspective on how long the year is and just the ups and downs of the season.'

Not only is Refsnyder on his seventh team in 11 seasons, but he had to make a cross-country move this offseason with his pregnant wife Monica. She gave birth to the couple's third child, a son named Ryan, last week, and Sunday's game was Refsnyder's first start since being activated from the paternity list.

'You're going through a really tough start of the year, but probably one of the most beautiful moments of my life is happening at the same time,' Refsnyder said. 'So just to try to keep that perspective when you're not getting results or hits has helped. But I'm very tired, so if I'm pretty monotone or dragging a little bit, hopefully you guys give me some grace.'

Woo said Refsnyder has fit in seamlessly with a team that reached Game 7 of the AL Championship Series last fall.

'He brings such a calming veteran presence ...' Woo said. 'So for him to kind of break through a little bit there, I know he's been hard on himself, so that means a lot. Everybody was stoked to see that.'

The Athletics remain tied with Texas atop the division despite losing three of their past four games, including a 7-4 defeat to the Chicago White Sox on Sunday in West Sacramento, Calif.

Darell Hernaiz hit his first homer of the season for the A's, who couldn't overcome a 6-1 deficit.

'Did like that we got the tying run to the plate in the ninth inning ... we still continued to battle and fight,' A's manager Mark Kotsay said. 'Those are the signs of a team that has expectations to win games. Not a great series for us, but we've got a big one coming up ... hopefully, the energy in Seattle is good.'

Monday's series opener is set to feature a pair of right-handers in the A's J.T. Ginn (0-0, 3.31 ERA) and the Mariners' Emerson Hancock (2-1, 2.28).

Ginn will be making his third start since moving into the rotation. He allowed two runs on three hits over 9 1/3 innings in his first two. Ginn is 0-0 with a 3.00 ERA in one career start against Seattle in September 2024.

Hancock, who is 0-0 with a 3.97 ERA in two previous starts against the A's, took a no-decision Wednesday at San Diego as closer Andres Munoz blew a four-run lead in the ninth inning of a 7-6 defeat. Hancock went six innings and gave up two runs on four hits, with one walk and six strikeouts.

--Field Level Media