Mariners slow down red-hot Rangers
ARLINGTON, Texas – Few teams in baseball were playing at a higher level than the Texas Rangers coming into Friday. They had won five straight games, including a four-game sweep of the Houston Astros, to take the lead in the American League West.
But the Mariners put an end to that streak in businesslike fashion, jumping to an early three-run lead and hanging on for a 3-1 win at Globe Life Park.
Seattle wasn’t particularly outstanding in any aspect, but got just enough pitching and just enough offense to start the last road trip of the season with a victory. The Mariners have won 11 of their past 16 to improve to 72-76 on the season, inching closer to .500.
The Mariners scored all three of their runs against Texas starter Yovani Gallardo in the second inning. Logan Morrison drew a leadoff walk to start the rally. Brad Miller followed with an opposite-field double just inside the left-field line to put the runners into scoring position.
Ketel Marte followed with a hard ground ball down the left-field line. For a moment, it looked as if the ball would leak foul, but it had enough spin to stay on the line for a double to score both runs and make it 2-0.
Rangers manager Jeff Bannister was displeased with the call from third-base ump Chris Guccione. A clarification turned into a shouting match and ended with an ejection.
Then Kyle Seager blooped a single into left field, allowing Marte to score.
It was an improvement compared to the last time they faced Gallardo, when he shut them out through 5 1/3 innings 12 days ago in Seattle. “He’s got good stuff,” McClendon said. “He’s got a cutter that’s off the charts. We knew we were in for a battle.”
James Paxton’s second start since returning from his three-month stint on the disabled list was better than the first. He pitched into the fifth inning, officially going 4 1/3 innings, giving up one run on six hits with four walks and six strikeouts.
“It was coming out of his hand really good,” McClendon said. “He was a little sharper and got the ball in the zone more.”
“In the second and third and fourth inning, I felt my rhythm was coming back and I was letting the ball go,” Paxton said.
But he still didn’t command the strike zone with consistency and bounced about 15 of his 88 pitches in front of the plate.
Paxton’s run allowed came in the fifth inning. With one out, he allowed back-to-back singles to Delino DeShields and Shin Soo-Choo. He then walked Adrian Beltre to load the bases.
After striking out Prince Fielder in his first two at-bats, Paxton walked him to force in a run.
McClendon called on Danny Farquhar, who coaxed an inning-ending 4-6-3 double play from Mike Napoli on three pitches.
Around the majors
Brewers RHP Jimmy Nelson will remain in a hospital for at least a second night after being hit in the head by a line drive. Nelson was struck in the back of the head Thursday night by a liner hit by Tommy Pham of the St. Louis Cardinals. … Carlos Pena, 37, announced his retirement when he spoke at the home of the Tampa Bay Rays, a team he helped reach its only World Series appearance. … Dodgers 2B Howie Kendrick was reinstated from the disabled list. … The Tigers and Indians will play a makeup game Oct. 5 at Progressive Field if Cleveland’s playoff hopes are still alive. … Rays OF Desmond Jennings will not play again this season due to a tooth infection that required surgery. … Cardinals slugger Matt Holliday exited after being struck in the back of his helmet by an 86 mph fastball from Cubs starter Dan Haren.