M’s end losing streak with win over Texas

SEATTLE – Wladimir Balentien and Richie Sexson homered to back starter Jarrod Washburn and the Seattle Mariners beat the Texas Rangers 7-3 on Monday night to end a five-game losing streak.

Washburn had a 7-0 lead and had allowed just one hit entering the seventh. He gave up three consecutive hits then left with tightness in his right calf. Washburn (2-4) beat Texas for the first time in three years, a run of 10 starts.

It was Washburn’s first home win in 11 months – one which kept the Mariners out of last place in the A.L. West they had planned on winning this season.

Kevin Millwood (2-3) allowed nine hits and seven runs in three innings, his shortest start of the season, and lost his 10th consecutive road decision. That ties the franchise record by Joe McClain of the Washington Senators in 1961-62.

At least Millwood is still on track for his next start Saturday against Oakland – McLain’s brief career ended before he could stop his road losing streak.

Sexson hit a solo home run, his seventh of the season, and Balentien hit a three-run homer off Millwood in the third to put the Mariners up 7-0. It was the third home run in 22 major league at-bats for Balentien, who has started every game since Seattle recalled him April 30 from Triple-A Tacoma to replace released starting right fielder Brad Wilkerson.

Millwood has allowed 17 earned runs in his last 15 1/3 innings. He walked one and struck out two.

Texas was without Josh Hamilton, who was leading the major leagues with 33 RBIs while starting every game. The center fielder did not start in what manager Ron Washington called “a mental break.”

Washburn mixed in a new changeup – a different grip he first tried in spring training – with his usual assortment of placed fastballs and breaking pitches. He allowed just one hit through six innings. That was a single by German Duran that almost hit him in the back in the third inning.

Then Gerald Laird singled, Michael Young doubled and Milton Bradley doubled home both to begin the seventh. A trainer, pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre and manager John McLaren all went out to talk to Washburn. After a moment of discussion, he was out of the game with what the team announced as tightness in his right calf. He waved to the crowd just before disappearing into the clubhouse, the third time in two weeks a Mariners starter left a game because of injury.

Brandon Boggs scored Bradley with a groundout off reliever Sean Green to make it 7-3.

Mariners trade Norton

The Mariners traded first baseman-outfielder Greg Norton to the Atlanta Braves on Monday, giving Atlanta’s bench a boost after placing infielder Martin Prado on the 15-day disabled list.

The Mariners, who designated Norton for assignment on April 30, will receive a player to be named or cash considerations from the Braves.

Norton was 7 for 16 (.435) in six games for Seattle this season.