Rangers blank Mariners 1-0

ARLINGTON, Texas — In two key situations on Sunday, Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon declined strategic options. He chose not to call for an intentional walk to Texas’ Adrian Beltre with a runners at first and third and one out in the sixth inning. And then McClendon didn’t ask Mariners rookie James Jones to squeeze home the tying run in a similar situation in the ninth. Both situations went against Seattle as Beltre hit a sacrifice fly, Jones popped out and the Rangers beat the Mariners 1-0. McClendon visited starting pitcher James Paxton (5-2) before Beltre’s at-bat, but they didn’t discuss a walk. “Beltre hit a good pitch up and in,” Paxton said. “Could’ve got it in a little bit more, I think, but he just muscled that ball into the outfield for the sac fly.” Texas’ Derek Holland (1-0) pitched seven impressive innings in his second start off the disabled list, allowing six hits and no walks while striking out five. The Rangers snapped an eight-game losing streak and gave interim manager Tim Bogar his first victory in his third game since Ron Washington’s resignation on Friday. Seattle ended a five-game winning streak and finished a 5-2 road trip. The Mariners’ lead for the final wild card spot dropped to a half-game. McClendon used four pinch hitters, two pinch runners, and three relief pitchers to get through the seventh inning. In the ninth, he let Jones swing instead of bunting. Jones fouled off three two-strike fastballs from Neftali Feliz before popping out. “I don’t want to play for a tie on the road,” McClendon said. “And I liked the matchup. He gave us a good at-bat. The guy made a good pitch.” Feliz then retired pinch-hitter Justin Smoak on a fly ball for his eighth save. Leonys Martin, who had three hits, led off the sixth with his second single and stole second base. Daniel Robertson’s groundout sent Martin to third, and he scored easily on Beltre’s fly to deep center field. Holland pitched out of trouble in the seventh. Robinson Cano led off with an infield single, his second hit. With two outs, Cano advanced on a passed ball and went to third on Corey Hart’s infield hit. Holland then retired rookie Stefen Romero on a grounder. “That’s what good pitchers do, they shut them down,” McClendon said, “He’s a proven pitcher. He threw a hell of a game.” Hart’s hit was the only one with a runner in scoring position for either team. Seattle was 1 for 9 in those situations. Texas was 0 for 7, extending an unproductive streak to 0 for 19. Notes McClendon said OFs Dustin Ackley (ankle) and Michael Saunders (strained left oblique) could return for today’s home series opener against Houston. Ackley sat out after leaving Saturday’s game. Saunders has been on the disabled list since July 11.