Mariners Game Recap: Nuno nearly No-No’s Rangers

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126. 6. 62. Final. 0

The Seattle Mariners (67-73) blanked the Texas Rangers (73-65), 5-0 on Wednesday night at Safeco Field. Vidal Nuno (1-3, 2.97 ERA) earned his first win in a Mariners’ uniform in dramatic fashion, as he 1-hit the Rangers through 7 innings. Martin Perez (2-5, 5.43 ERA) was credited with the loss for Texas.

The Mariners jumped out to an early lead in the home half of the 1st inning. Seattle did not rest on their laurels tonight, and plated a pair of runs in the 3rd to extend their lead to 3 runs. The M’s added another 2 runs in the 5th, and tacked on another run in the 7th to make it a 6-0 game.

Vidal Nuno was brilliant this evening, shutting out the Rangers over the course of 7 innings. The 28-year-old southpaw fanned 10, walked 2 and allowed just 1 hit. His 10 punch outs represent a new career high. Pitch count was the only issue for Nuno, as he hurled 106 pitches before being yanked. Had his pitch count been in better shape, I have no doubt Lloyd McClendon would have given him a chance to finish the job.

Danny Farquhar entered in the 8th, and proceeded to strikeout a pair of Rangers en route to pitching a perfect frame. Carson Smith hurled a perfect 9th to secure the victory for Seattle.

Sep 9, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager (15) greets first baseman Mark Trumbo (35) at the plate after Trumbo hit a two-run homer against the Texas Rangers during the third inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

It was the Mark Trumbo and Kyle Seager show for the Mariners tonight. Trumbo finished 4 for 4 with a home run and 3 RBI. The 29-year-old has hit safely in 11 consecutive games, and 20 of his last 21 games. Kyle Seager extended his hitting streak to 12 games with a 4 for 4 performance of his own. The 27-year-old third baseman clubbed his 23rd home run of the season, drove in a pair of runs and scored 3 times. Robinson Cano contributed the only other hit for Seattle.

Martin Perez was touched up for 5 runs on 7 hits through 5 innings pitched on Wednesday night. Perez struck out 4, walked 3 and served up a pair of long balls. Tanner Scheppers was called on in the 6th, and surrendered 1 run in 1.1 innings. Sam Freeman limited the damage in the 7th before giving way to Luke Jackson. The 24-year-old right-hander pitched a perfect 8th for Texas.

Collectively, the Texas Rangers tallied just 1 hit this evening. Not surprisingly, Prince Fielder came through with the lone base knock. Prince went 1 for 4, and is now hitting .309 on the season. The 31-year-old’s 2014 season was derailed by injuries, but Fielder has exceeded expectations this summer. Mike Napoli and Robinson Chirinos both nursed walks, and were the only other Rangers to reach base tonight.

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Seattle has now won 6 of their last 8 games, and they are slowing clawing their way back in the American League West. The Mariners now trail the Houston Astros by 8.5 games, and sit 7 games back in the quest for the final wildcard spot. It will take a miracle for the M’s to make the postseason in 2015, but at least they still have a “chance.”

The Seattle Mariners (67-73) will host the Texas Rangers (73-65) in the series finale on Thursday afternoon at Safeco Field. First pitch is scheduled for 12:40 pm from the corner of Edgar & Dave. Felix Hernandez (16-8, 3.65 ERA) will toe the rubber for the M’s tomorrow, and Derek Holland (3-1, 2.37 ERA) will be on the bump for the visitors. Root Sports Northwest will carry the game live locally, and MLB.tv subscribers can watch worldwide on connected devices.

Next: Mariners Game Preview: Steve Baron to Make MLB Debut for M's

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