Mariners Game Recap: M’s edge Rangers in Series Opener

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The Seattle Mariners (72-76) took the series opener against the Texas Rangers (79-68), 3-1 on Friday night at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Danny Farquhar (1-4, 4.78 ERA) earned the win for the Mariners, and Yovani Gallardo (12-11, 3.41 ERA) took the loss for Texas. Tom Wilhelmsen fired a perfect 9th inning to record his 12th save of the season.

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The M’s did all their scoring in the top of the 2nd inning tonight, plating 3 runs to take an early 3-0 lead. Texas fought back to trim Seattle’s lead to 2 runs in the 5th, but the Rangers were unable to complete the comeback.

James Paxton did a decent job for the Mariners on Friday night, allowing 1 on 6 hits across 4.1 innings pitched. The Ladner, BC product fanned 6 and walked 4 for the M’s tonight. Pax-Man was on a strict pitch count, and was lifted in the 5th inning after hurling 88 pitches. His curveball was a little less effective than we are used to seeing, but overall, tonight’s start was a small step in the right direction.

Danny Farquhar entered in the 5th with the bases loaded and just 1 out. Farquhar induced an inning ending double play to preserve the Mariners’ lead. Lord Farquhar followed up by pitching a spotless 6th. Logan Kensing and Roenis Elias combined to pitch a perfect 7th inning for Seattle. Carson Smith worked a scoreless 8th to earn his 20th hold of the season. Tom Wilhelmsen blanked Texas in the 9th to secure the victory for the Mariners.

Sep 18, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Seattle Mariners shortstop Ketel Marte (4) celebrates with designated hitter Nelson Cruz (23) after scoring during the second inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

The Mariners received contributions from nearly everyone in their lineup this evening. Ketel Marte was the spark plug, finishing 2 for 4 with a pair of doubles, 2 RBI and 1 run scored. Kyle Seager had a nice game, going 2 for 4 and driving in the other run for Seattle. Brad Miller went 2 for 4 with a run scored. Mark Trumbo raised his season batting average to .259 after finishing 2 for 3.

Yovani Gallardo came into tonight’s game with a 1.56 ERA against the M’s this season, but he did not fare quite so well in this one. Gallardo allowed 3 runs on 8 hits through 5 innings en route to picking up the loss. The 29-year-old right-hander struck out 4 and walked 2. Andrew Faulkner was called on in the 6th, and proceeded to hurl a pair of scoreless frames in relief for Texas. Jake Diekman kept the Rangers in the game, pitching a perfect 8th and a perfect 9th.

Shin-Soo Choo has been on fire as of late, and that continued this evening. The former Mariner prospect went 3 for 4. Adrian Beltre had a strange night at the plate, as he finished 1 for 1 with 3 walks. Delino DeShields and Elvis Andrus accounted for the other Texas’ hits tonight.

With the win, Seattle now sits 8.5 games back of the American League West leading Texas Rangers. The Mariners are also 7.5 games back of the Houston Astros in the wildcard.

The Seattle Mariners (72-76) will battle the Texas Rangers (79-68) again on Saturday evening in Arlington, TX. First pitch is scheduled for 5:05 pm PT from Globe Life Park. Vidal Nuno (1-2, 3.21 ERA) will be on the bump for the M’s, and Cole Hamels (3-1, 4.04 ERA) will get the ball for the home side. Root Sports Northwest will carry the game live locally, and MLB.tv subscribers can watch worldwide on connected devices.

Next: Updating the Mariners search for a new GM

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