[BoilerRocketScientist]

Seattle rookie pitcher Dennis Rasmussen made his first start today and pitched 8.2 strong innings before being lifted in the 9th. Rasmussen (1-0) earned the win in his debut and have eased some fears of the Seattle fans who bemoaned the loss of starter Bruce Kison for 3 months with rotator cuff inflammation.

Seattle won the game over Oakland 3-1 but it was in doubt for a while. The Athletics jumped on top 1-0 with a Gary Gaetti solo homer in the 2nd while Oakland starter Mike Bruhert held Seattle scoreless through 6 innings. After the Gaetti HR, Rasmussen matched Bruhert inning by inning and was rewarded when Tim Wallach hit a big 3-run homer off of Oakland reliever Danny Boone in the bottom of the 7th inning to give Seattle the 3-1 lead. Seattle manager Darrell Johnson was trying to let Rasmussen finish the game but things got too dicey in the 9th inning. Rasmussen got the first 2 outs but then walked Gene Tenace and Jim Essian to bring the go-ahead batter to the plate in Mike Vail. Johnson decided that that was enough for Rasmussen and he pulled him for closer Tom Gorman. Rasmussen left to a well-deserved standing ovation. Gorman promptly struck out Vail on 4 pitches to earn his 4th save and raise Seattle's record to a gaudy 9-1 for the season.

Rasmussen's line for his debut was 8.2 IP, 5 hits, 1 ER, 5 K's, 5 BB's, 1 HR on 112 pitches.