M’s lose in ninth

SEATTLE – Leonys Martin hit a run-scoring single with two outs in the ninth to send the Texas Rangers past the Seattle 4-3 Saturday night, extending the Mariners’ losing streak to five games.

Luis Sardinas singled off Fernando Rodney (1-3) with one out in the ninth and moved to second on a groundout. Martin then hit a grounder just past the glove of a diving Kyle Seager at third base, scoring Sardinas without a play at the plate.

Neal Cotts (2-3) earned the win with 1 2/3 innings of relief, striking out four. Joakim Soria pitched a perfect ninth for his 15th save in 16 chances.

The Mariners tied the game in the seventh after taking advantage of a Rangers fielding gaffe.

With two runners on and one out, Cole Gillespie hit a grounder to second that looked like it could turn into an inning-ending double play. Elvis Andrus couldn’t handle the throw at second, though, and Seattle loaded the bases.

Robinson Cano followed with a soft line drive to right, scoring Willie Bloomquist and tying the game, 3-3.

The run spoiled a win for Joe Saunders, who was in line for his first victory of the season after allowing two runs in six innings against his former team.

The Mariners pushed across a run in the fifth when Stefen Romero hit a sacrifice fly to left to score John Buck from third.

Buck led off the frame with a single and moved to third when Seager followed with a base hit. The run snapped a 13-inning scoreless streak for the Mariners.

Seattle added a run in the sixth when Buck scored Cano from second with a single. The call at the plate was confirmed after a review.

Notes

Sunday’s series finale will feature Mariners RHP Hisashi Iwakuma and Rangers RHP Nick Martinez. … The umpires reviewed four calls: two in the first, one in the sixth and one in the seventh. Leonys Martin was originally called safe in an attempt to steal second, but it was overturned. A 2-2 count to Adrian Beltre was also reviewed, and upheld. A ruling that Robinson Cano was safe at home in the sixth was confirmed. Elvis Andrus was originally called out at first in the seventh after being involved in a rundown, but the call was reversed. … Seattle’s Jesus Montero, a former top prospect, made his first appearance since being suspended 50 games for his connection to the Biogenesis performance-enhancing drug investigation last year. Montero, who was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday, collected a single in three at-bats as the designated hitter.