OAKLAND (AP) — Stephen Vogt writhed in pain for several minutes after getting hit in the groin by a foul tip in the eighth inning. Oakland’s All-Star catcher had just come int to catch after starting the game at first base.

Manager Bob Melvin, a former catcher, knew immediately it was serious. Vogt was sent to a local hospital for tests before the Seattle Mariners finished off the Athletics 3-2 on Sunday.

“He was in a lot of pain,” Melvin said. “It’s going to be a few days and it could be a little while. I hope there is nothing fractured.”

Vogt, who has his own personal cheer when he comes to the plate, is one of the most popular players on the team for fans and teammates.

Backup catcher Josh Phegley was out of the game, so Carson Blair was called upon to make his major league debut.

“I didn’t have a whole lot of time to think about it,” Blair said. “It was a terrible way for it to happen. It makes you hurt to see it.”

Blair drew a walk in his only at-bat, extending an A’s scoring rally.

“I was just trying to slow everything down,” he said. “It’s an awesome opportunity. It’s been a pretty good year.”

Billy Butler hit a home run for the Athletics, who lost their fifth straight. The long ball gives the A’s a 12-game streak with at least one homer, currently the longest active streak as Seattle had its 13-game run snapped.

Sean Nolin (0-1) became the 28th pitcher used by the A’s, a franchise record. He made his first ML appearance in nearly a year and his first start in two years.

“I felt a little more comfortable than I did my last two rehab starts,” Nolin said. “I’m grateful for that. It was a pretty good day overall.”

Nolin gave up three runs on five hits over six innings. He walked three and struck out one.

Hisashi Iwakuma (7-3) pitched 6 1-3 solid innings to avenge his only loss since the end of July. He allowed one run on five hits. Iwakuma walked one and struck out three.

Kyle Seager and Ketel Marte each drove in a run, and Brad Miller collected two hits for the Mariners.

Shawn O’Malley singled and walked Sunday and had six hits in his first seven major league at-bats as the Mariners swept a series in Oakland for the first time in six years.

Marte singled in a run, Seager hit a sacrifice fly and O’Malley scored on a wild pitch to put the Mariners ahead in the fifth.

A’s right fielder Jake Smolinski threw out Logan Morrison at third earlier in the inning.

Danny Valencia’s groundout in the eighth made it 3-2.

TRAINER’S ROOM:

Mariners: Third base coach Rich Donnelly left the game with an upset stomach. Chris Woodward moved to third and outfield coach Andy Van Slyke took over at first base. ... Nelson Cruz (strained right quad) missed his third straight game. ... OF Franklin Gutierrez (right groin) was also out of the starting lineup a second straight game.

Athletics: OF Sam Fuld (back spasms) is expected to return during the Houston series. He has not started in nearly two weeks. ... OF Josh Reddick did not start due to illness but did pinch hit in the seventh.