Bedard shows his stuff for Mariners

SEATTLE -- This was the Erik Bedard the Seattle Mariners believed they were getting to be the ace of their staff.

Making his first start in three weeks, Bedard gave up two hits in 6 2/3 scoreless innings in his return from the disabled list, and the Mariners defeated the Oakland Athletics, 5-3, Saturday night.

Having not started since April 8 because of inflammation in his left hip, Bedard’s only mistakes were four walks, a double to Bobby Crosby in the fifth and Emil Brown’s single in the seventh. Bedard (2-0) threw 95 pitches.

Bedard used his sharp fastball and off-speed pitches to keep the A’s guessing. He threw 19 first-pitch strikes.

Seattle’s Greg Norton, hitting in the designated hitter spot for struggling Jose Vidro, had three hits and three RBIs, including a two-run double in the bottom of the eighth after Oakland intentionally walked Adrian Beltre.