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Moyer’s gem helps M’s end skid

Mariners' starter Jamie Moyer surrendered a home run to Rangers' outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. on this pitch, his first of the game on Sunday. It was the only run for the big-hitting Rangers. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press
Mariners' starter Jamie Moyer surrendered a home run to Rangers' outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. on this pitch, his first of the game on Sunday. It was the only run for the big-hitting Rangers. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

SEATTLE – Kenny Rogers returned to the mound with boos from the fans, a berth on the A.L. All-Star team and more silence for reporters.

Willie Bloomquist singled leading off the eighth inning and scored on an infield grounder, leading the Seattle Mariners over Rogers and the Texas Rangers 2-1 Sunday.

Rogers (9-4), who retired his first 11 batters, broke a bone in his right hand when he punched a water cooler June 17 and gave up six runs in his next start, June 22 at the Los Angeles Angels. The 40-year-old left-hander then was skipped over for a turn, and last Wednesday threw an angry fit that sent a television cameraman to a hospital and prompted a police investigation.

“He performed just like everyone here expected. He’s a competitive professional who gave his team a great chance to win,” Rangers manager Buck Showalter said.

Baseball announced Sunday that Rogers was selected an All-Star for the third time, following appearances on the roster in 1995 and last year.

Because of the appeal, he will be allowed to participate in the July 12 game at Detroit, baseball spokesman Pat Courtney said. Rogers has not decided whether he will go, according to Rangers spokesman Rich Rice.

Jamie Moyer (7-3) was the winner of the matchup of starters in their 40s. He gave up one run and four hits in eight innings and struck out five, allowing his only run when Gary Matthews Jr. homered on Moyer’s first pitch of the game.

Seattle, which stopped a seven-game losing streak, cut Bret Boone before the game. The three-time All-Star second baseman was designated for assignment – Seattle has 10 days to trade Boone or place him on waivers.

As for the game, Bloomquist singled to left leading off the eighth with the score 1-all, and Pat Borders flied out after twice failing to get a bunt down. Bloomquist stole second as catcher Sandy Alomar Jr. lost his grip on the ball and took third on Suzuki’s broken-bat single to shortstop.

Randy Winn hit a grounder to third baseman Hank Blalock, who threw to second in hopes of an inning-ending double play, but second baseman Alfonso Soriano couldn’t get the ball out of his glove to throw out Winn.

“I knew he was fast, so I tried to make the play as quickly as possible,” Soriano said. “That’s why I mishandled it.”

Raul Ibanez then singled to chase Rogers, who was booed on his first step off the mound. Rogers also was booed at the start of the game.

“As far as we’re concerned, when the game starts all that stuff is over,” said Texas shortstop Michael Young, also an All-Star for the second straight year. “For those 3 1/2 hours, you put it all aside and just play baseball. Kenny feels the same way. We expected him to pitch like Kenny does and he did. It’s just a shame we couldn’t help him out a little more.”

Eddie Guardado pitched the ninth for his 20th save.

Seattle tied the score in the fifth after Jose Lopez, Boone’s replacement, doubled into the left-field corner leading off. He advanced on Bloomquist’s flyout to shallow right-center and scored on Borders’ single to deep shortstop.