SEATTLE -- Bob Melvin became the third manager to win 500 games in Oakland, joining Tony La Russa (798) and Art Howe (600), as the A's downed the Mariners, 7-4, at Safeco Field on Thursday.
Melvin downplayed the importance of the accomplishment before the game.
"It'd be one thing if you were having a good year," Melvin said. "It's just a round number. There is one coming up a little later that might be a little more so."
Melvin is referring to his career win total, which inched closer to the 1,000-win threshold with his 993rd victory on Thursday.

He reached the milestone against the franchise that gave him his first managerial opportunity in 2003. He led the 2003 Mariners to a 93-69 record, finishing three games behind, go figure, the A's.
He's still has a ways to go for the Athletics' all-time record, held by Connie Mack, who accumulated 3,582 wins while managing the franchise from 1901-50, when it was still in Philadelphia.