Mariners Game Recap: ‘Kuma Tosses Another Gem

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The Seattle Mariners (56-64) edged the Texas Rangers (60-58) on Tuesday night in Arlington. The Mariners tied the series at a game a piece with the win this evening. Hisashi Iwakuma (5-2, 3.74 ERA) earned the win after producing another dominant outing for Seattle. Chi Chi Gonzalez (2-5, 4.25 ERA) pitched well, but took the loss for the home side. Carson Smith worked a perfect 9th inning to earn his 13th save of the season.

The Mariners jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the top of the 1st inning, and that proved to be enough to pick up the win tonight. Texas did cut into the M’s lead in the 2nd and 6th innings, but could not quite get the job done.

Hisashi Iwakuma hurled the 5th no-hitter in franchise history his last time out, and he followed up with another masterful performance on Tuesday night in Arlington. Kuma fired 7 strong innings, allowing 2 runs on 5 hits. The 34-year-old right-hander struck out 6 Rangers and walked 1 en route to earning the win. A solo home run was his lone blemish. Iwakuma is now 3-0 with a 1.67 ERA over the course of 31.2 innings in the month of August.

Danny Farquhar was very effective for Seattle last weekend in Boston, and he came through again tonight. Lord Farquhar has had a terrible time in 2015, but he pitched a perfect 8th inning tonight to earn his 5th hold of the season. Carson Smith picked up his 13th save of the season after shutting the door on Texas in the 9th.

Aug 18, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Seattle Mariners right fielder Seth Smith (7) rounds the bases after hitting a two run home run during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Kyle Seager was the spark plug offensively tonight for Seattle. Seags did a great job setting the table for the power bats behind him, going 2 for 3 with a double, a walk and a run scored. Nelson Cruz got the M’s on the board in the 1st with an RBI double that short-hopped the wall in left field. Seth Smith clubbed a 2-run home run that sailed into the Rangers’ bullpen in right-center field. Smitty’s dinger extended the Mariners’ lead to 3, and proved to be the game winning hit.

Ketel Marte sure is fun to watch. Since being called up on July 31, the 21-year-old shortstop is showcasing an intriguing skill set. Marte went 2 for 4 and sliced a double down the right field line tonight. He struggled for the first week and a half of his big league career, but Marte has really turned it on lately. He has posted a .421 batting average with 4 doubles and 2 RBI over his last 5 games. Marte committed his first error tonight, but he has played a solid shortstop since joining the M’s. He does a nice job charging ground balls, and he has flashed a really strong throwing arm. I am looking forward to watching the switch-hitter develop over the final 6 weeks of the season.

Chi Chi Gonzalez did a pretty nice job for Texas this evening. The rookie right-hander allowed 3 runs on 5 hits, while striking out 7 and walking 1 across 6 innings. Gonzalez was roughed up in the 1st, but he steadied himself, and pitched 5 shutout frames to keep the Rangers in the game. Sam Freeman and Spencer Patton combined to pitch a scoreless 7th. Jake Diekman came through with a perfect 8th inning, and Keone Kela pitched a perfect 9th to keep it a 1-run game.

Rougned Odor is as hot as they come these days, and he led the way for Texas tonight. The diminutive second baseman launched a solo shot to straight away center field in the 2nd inning. Odor finished 2 for 3 on the night, and raised his batting average to .280. Brian Wilson accounted the other Rangers’ run tonight with a sacrifice fly in the 6th.

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Tonight’s win allowed Seattle to gain a bit of ground in the American League West, as they now trail the division leading Houston Astros by just 8.5 games. The Mariners are inching closer in the wildcard race as well, as they now sit just 6 games out. It has been a rough road trip this week, but a win tomorrow would allow the M’s to break even.

The Seattle Mariners (56-64) will take on the Texas Rangers (60-58) in the rubber match of the 3-game set Wednesday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 11:05 am PT from Globe Life Park in Arlington, TX. Mike Montgomery (4-5, 4.14 ERA) will get the ball for the Mariners in the series finale, and Derek Holland (0-1, 9.00 ERA) will toe the rubber for the home side. Root Sports Northwest will carry the game live locally, and MLB Network will beam the game nationwide. As always, MLB.tv subscribers can watch on connected devices.

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