Mariners Gain In Races

Jamie Moyer is finally in a pennant race, and he likes the feeling.

Moyer pitched eight scoreless innings Monday night and the Seattle Mariners moved up in their race for a playoff spot, beating the Texas Rangers 6-0 for their fifth straight victory.

“It’s feels good to be playing for a little more than usual at this time of year,” Moyer said.

Moyer has been in the big leagues parts of 11 seasons and is with his sixth different team. This is his first shot at postseason play.

Acquired by the Mariners from the Boston Red Sox on July 30 in a trade for Darren Bragg, Moyer is 5-2 in nine starts for the Mariners.

In winning the opener of the four-game series, the Mariners closed within five games of A.L. West-leading Texas. Seattle trails Baltimore by 3-1/2 games in the wildcard chase.

The Rangers have lost five of six.

Moyer (12-3) matched a career-high for wins. He allowed four hits, struck out five and walked two. Bobby Ayala pitched a perfect ninth to wrap it up.

Mariners catcher Dan Wilson said Moyer’s control kept the Rangers off-balance most of the game.

“He took a lot off his changeup, stayed ahead of the hitters and put them on the defensive,” Wilson said.

Edgar Martinez hit his 50th double, driving in a run in the seventh for a 6-0 lead. He became just the fifth player since 1900 to hit 50 or more doubles in consecutive seasons. The last to do it was Joe Medwick in 1936-37.

Leading 2-0 after five innings, the Mariners broke open the game with three runs in the sixth. Martinez singled, Jay Buhner walked and Paul Sorrento doubled off the right-field scoreboard.

Mark Whiten was walked intentionally and Dave Hollins chased John Burkett (3-2) with a two-run single.

Seattle continued its domination of the Rangers, beating them for the 14th time in the 16 games at the Kingdome. The Mariners have won 28 of the last 35 against Texas overall.

Rodriguez had two hits in four at-bats, raising his league-leading average to .368.

Niehaus resting after surgery: Mariners announcer Dave Niehaus has undergone a second procedure to clear a clogged heart artery. A team spokesman said he was resting comfortably Monday at a local hospital. Niehaus, 61, will take an indefinite leave of absence from his announcing duties, the team said.

Niehaus felt ill Friday at a ballpark in Minnesota and returned to Seattle where he underwent an angioplasty.