Mariners Game Recap: LoMo Carries Seattle to Series Sweep

Apr 29, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Fernando Rodney (56) and catcher Mike Zunino (3) react after recording the final out against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

The Seattle Mariners (10-11) completed the 3-game sweep over the Texas Rangers (7-14) on Wednesday night in Arlington, winning 5-2. Felix Hernandez (4-0, 1.82 ERA) turned into another strong outing for the M’s en route to earning his 4th win of the season. Wandy Rodriguez (0-1, 4.82 ERA) pitched admirably for the Rangers, but ultimately ended up on the losing end. Fernando Rodney worked a perfect 9th inning to pick up his 7th save of the season.

The M’s jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the 2nd inning on Wednesday night. Nelson Cruz has put together one of the best starts to a season in Mariners’ history, and today he barrelled up a Wandy Rodriguez fastball. Cruz’s solo blast cleared the left field wall with ease, and gave the M’s an early 1-0 lead. The next 3 Mariners reached safely, and Seattle had the bases loaded with none out. Mike Zunino hit into a double play, but Rickie Weeks was able to score from third base on the play to make the score 2-0 in the Mariners favor.

The Rangers stormed back to tie the game in the home half of the 2nd inning. King Felix issued a leadoff walk to his buddy Adrian Beltre, and former Mariner Carlos Peguero made Hernandez pay. Peguero clobbered a ball that bounced off the base of the wall in left-center field. Beltre was moving on the pitch and scored easily on Peguero’s double. Peguero advanced to third on an Elvis Andrus ground out, and scored on a Carlos Corporan single to left field. After 2 innings the score was tied at 2.

Justin Ruggiano had a great series for the Mariners this week, and he led off the 5th inning with a double to left-center field. Nelson Cruz was intentionally walked, and Rickie Weeks was unintentionally walked to load the bases with just 1 out. Logan Morrison has had a tough season, but he came through with a clutch 2 run double down the right field line. The M’s held a commanding 4-2 lead after LoMo’s double.

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Seattle added a key insurance run in the top of the 9th inning tonight. The Rangers had trouble defensively all night, and Robinson Cano reached on a fielding error by Rougned Odor. Nelson Cruz was unstoppable tonight, and he moved Cano around to third base on a single to right field. Carlos Corporan had trouble handling a Keone Kela curveball and Cano sprinted home to give the Mariners a 5-2 lead.

Fernando Rodney has been remarkably reliable lately, and he swiftly shut the door on the Rangers in the 9th inning. The full box score can be found here.

Next: King Felix Survives in Arlington