Baek to future for M’s

ARLINGTON, Texas – Even though there are spots available in the Seattle Mariners rotation in 2007, Cha Seung Baek is trying not to look too far into the future.

The right-hander allowed two runs and four hits over 6 2/3 innings to continue an impressive late-season surge, and Raul Ibanez hit a home run as the Mariners eliminated the Texas Rangers from the American League West race with a 6-3 victory Wednesday night.

Baek (4-1) struck out five and walked one, beating the Rangers for the second time since he was called up from Triple-A Tacoma on Aug. 22. The native of South Korea allowed four hits over seven shutout innings in a 7-2 win over Texas on Sept. 8.

“I think most everybody here is looking for a job,” Baek said. “I can just focus on each game, not for next year.”

Baek, who made his 11th major league start, has pitched at least into the sixth in all of his victories this season.

Manager Mike Hargrove has been impressed with Baek’s success against the Rangers.

“He hit his spots and kept the ball away from the middle of the plate against a good-hitting ball club,” Hargrove said. “But the key is pitching inside to some good hitters.”

J.J. Putz got the last three outs for his 34th save.

Yuniesky Betancourt had three hits for the Mariners, who won two of three from the Rangers. Before that series, Seattle had lost 18 of its previous 24 games at Texas.

Nelson Cruz had a two-run homer and Michael Young hit his 50th double for the Rangers, tying Juan Gonzalez’s club record set in 1998.

Ibanez led off the fifth inning with his career-high 28th home run and Betancourt hit a two-out double to drive in another run, giving the Mariners a 5-0 lead. Seattle’s Adrian Beltre extended his hitting streak to 10 games.