SEATTLE (Ticker) -- Don't count the Oakland Athletics out of the American League West race just yet.

Backed by another strong effort from Tim Hudson and a clutch performance by Jim Mecir out of the bullpen, the Athletics tightened the AL West race with a 5-2 victory over the first-place Seattle Mariners.

Oakland won for the sixth time in seven tries on its 10-game road trip and pulled within two of the Mariners, who had an eight-game winning streak stopped. The A's also moved into a tie with Cleveland for the wild card lead.

"This is not a make or break game for us," Mariners outfielder Mike Cameron said. "We still have control of the lead. They're still chasing us. I wouldn't stress about it right now. We'll be all right."

The ace of the Oakland staff, Hudson (18-6) has picked the right time to pitch his best baseball of the season, winning his fifth straight start. The 24-year-old righthander went six-plus innings, allowing two runs -- one earned -- and five hits, walking three and striking out six.

"This is a four-game series. Anytime you get the first one, it's big," Hudson said. "The next three game are as big as tonight."

"I put some emphasis on this game," Oakland manager Art Howe said. "They've been hot and we needed a nice pitching performance to cool them off. The guys are pumped."

Hudson is an impressive 29-8 in 51 starts over his first two years in the major leagues. He improved to 3-0 this season against Seattle.

Mecir helped Hudson to his latest win by pitching out of a seventh-inning jam. With the bases loaded and one out, the veteran reliever struck out Alex Rodriguez and Edgar Martinez.

"Bases loaded, he strikes out two of the best hitters in baseball -- that's saying something. He did a great job," Howe said.

Mecir worked 1 1/3 scoreless innings, Jeff Tam retired the only two batters he faced and Jason Isringhausen pitched the ninth for his 30th save in 37 chances.

Matt Stairs snapped a 2-2 in the sixth with a two-run single and Eric Chavez plated another run with a base hit for Oakland, which improved to 7-3 vs. the Mariners this season.

Seattle starter Jamie Moyer (13-10) was roughed up for five runs and six hits in 5 2/3 innings. The lefthander walked three and struck out four, losing for the seventh time in nine decisions since July 24.

With the game tied, 2-2, the A's moved in front for good in the sixth. Jose Ortiz singled with one out -- his first major league hit -- and Jason Giambi doubled.

After an intentional walk to Miguel Tejada, Moyer got Ben Grieve to pop out to shallow left field. But Moyer walked rookie Adam Piatt to force in the tying run and Stairs followed with his two-run single. Chavez provided a 5-2 lead with a his hit into right field.

Seattle attempted to rally in the seventh. Raul Ibanez and Mark McLemore singled to chase Hudson. Mecir came on and retired Rickey Henderson on a grounder before walking Cameron to load the bases. But he settled down to get Rodriguez and Martinez to end the inning.

"When I was 3-2 on Edgar, I figured I might as well try to throw a screwball," Mecir said. "Even if I walk him, I still have a two-run lead and someone not as dangerous would come up."

"I didn't come throw in the seventh. He got me with that epheus pitch," Rodriguez said. "We didn't beat ourselves, but we didn't get the big hit."

The two most productive hitters in the Mariners lineup, Rodriguez and Martinez went a combined 1-for-7 with one RBI. Rodriguez struck out three times.

Early on, it looked like the Mariners would be heading toward their ninth straight win. Cameron walked with one out and a single by Rodriguez put runners on the corners.

Rodriguez stole second and a groundout by Martinez plated the game's first run. John Olerud followed by hitting a slow roller along the first-base line. The ball was headed foul, but Hudson attempted to field it and he bobbled for an error, allowing Rodriguez to score.

Hudson settled down thereafter and allowed just one hit before running out of gas in the seventh. He threw 61 of his 101 pitches for strikes.