Mariners Game Recap: Prince Tai Leads M’s Past Rangers

Apr 27, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Seattle Mariners first baseman Willie Bloomquist (8) and relief pitcher Fernando Rodney (right) celebrate the win over the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Seattle Mariners defeated the Texas Rangers 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Seattle Mariners (8-11) won 3-1 against the Texas Rangers (7-12) on Monday night in Arlington. Taijuan Walker (1-2, 6.86 ERA) was brilliant this evening, hurling 7 innings of 1 run ball and earning his first win of the season. Yovani Gallardo (2-3, 4.05 ERA) pitched reasonably well, but was the credited with the loss. Fernando Rodney allowed the tying run to reach in the 9th, but managed to escape for his 5th save of the season.

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The Seattle Mariners jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the top of the 1st inning. Justin Ruggiano hit leadoff for the M’s on Monday, and he did a great job working a walk to open the game. Seth Smith followed with a walk of his own, and the Mariners had runners on first and second with none out. Robinson Cano grounded into a fielders choice, but Ruggiano made it third base on the play. Nelson Cruz plated Ruggiano on an RBI single to right field. Cano scored following a throwing error by shortstop Elvis Andrus on what could have been an inning ending double play.

The Rangers cut the M’s lead in half in the home half of the 4th inning. Former Mariner Carlos Peguero worked a 6-pitch walk to open the frame for Texas. Prince Fielder followed by hitting a ground ball to Robby Cano that resulted in a fielders choice. Adrian Beltre singled on a sharp line drive to left field to put runners on first and second with 1 out. Mitch Moreland hit a bouncer that hit Beltre as he was running to second base. Beltre intentionally ran into the ground ball in an attempt to break up a potential double play. Beltre was called out, but the Rangers’ threat was still alive. The Rangers pulled even on an Elvis Andrus ground ball to shortstop Brad Miller. Miller’s throw skipped under the glove of first baseman Willie Bloomquist. Fielder trotted home to score on Miller’s throwing error.

A 2-out walk by Justin Ruggiano sparked a Mariners’ rally in the top of the 5th. Ruggiano swiped second base to give the M’s a runner in scoring position with 2-outs. Seth Smith has been great for the Mariners in 2015, and he plated Ruggiano on a single to center field. Smith’s single gave Seattle a 3-1 lead in the 5th inning.

Click here for the full box score.

Next: Prince Tai Dominates in Win