shortstop Craig Reynolds for left-handed pitcher Grant Jackson. Despite making the major league roster in the beginning of the season, Sexton was assigned to the Triple-A San Jose Missions of the Pacific Coast League on April 8, 1977. With the Missions, he batted .256 with 13 doubles, 5 triples, 2 home runs, 23 RBIs, and 52 stolen bases. Sexton was third in the Pacific Coast League in stolen bases that season. As a member of the Mariners' inaugural season, Sexton batted .216 with 1 double, 1 triple, 1 home run, 3 RBIs, and 1 stolen bases in 14 games. Sexton made his major league debut on September 2, against the Toronto Blue Jays and in 4 at-bats, Sexton went without a hit. Sexton's first hit was a single to left field on September 4, against Toronto Blue Jays' pitcher Jerry Garvin. Sexton also hit his first major league home run that game in the 7–2 Mariners' win. Houston Astros Sexton was traded to the Houston Astros for Leon Roberts on December 6, 1977. In his first season with the Astros, 1978, Sexton batted .206 with 3 doubles, 2 triples, 2 home runs, 6 RBIs, and 16 stolen bases. Sexton played shortstop, second base, and third base for the Astros that season. The next season, Sexton again spent the entire season on the major league roster. In 52 games with Houston, Sexton batted .209 with 8 runs, 1 RBIs, 1 stolen bases, and 7 walks in 43 at-bats. In 1980, Sexton was assigned to the Triple-A Tucson Toros of the Pacific Coast League. During his stint with the Toros, Sexton batted .296 with 18 doubles, 6 triples, 1 home runs, 33 RBIs, and 55 stolen bases. He was third in the Pacific Coast League in stolen bases that season, behind Marshall Edwards who had 68 stolen bases, and Kim Allen who had 84 stolen bases. Oakland Athletics The Houston Astros traded Sexton to the Oakland Athletics on February 13, 1981, for a player to be named later or cash considerations. That season, Sexton played for both the Athletics at the major league level and the Triple-A Tacoma Tigers of the Pacific Coast League. He began the season with the Tigers and batted .319 with 16 doubles, 8 triples, 4 home runs, 35 RBIs, and 56 stolen bases. Sexton was tied with Rudy Law for second in the Pacific Coast League in