Mariners Game Recap: Rangers Clobber M’s, Win Series

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2. 62. 7. 126. Final

The Texas Rangers (61-58) beat the Seattle Mariners (56-65) convincingly on Wednesday afternoon, winning 7-2 to take the 3-game series. Derek Holland (1-1, 3.68 ERA) was very effective for the Rangers en route to earning his first win since September 22 of last season. Mike Montgomery (4-6, 4.16 ERA) was credited with the loss for Seattle after being lit up in the 1st inning.

The Rangers never looked back after jumping out to an early 3-0 lead in the home half of the 1st inning. The M’s fought back to make it a 1-run game in the 6th. However, Texas extinguished any hopes of comeback when they clubbed 3 consecutive home runs and hung a 4 spot on Seattle in the 7th inning.

Mike Montgomery allowed 3 runs on 6 hits, while striking out 3 across 6 innings today. The 26-year-old southpaw had significant trouble locating his pitches throughout, as he walked 4 and hit a batter. Monty looked like a Rookie of the Year candidate in early July, but he has gone 0-4 with a 7.45 ERA over his last 8 starts.

Joe Beimel was called on to pitch in the 7th, and that proved to be a huge mistake. The veteran lefty was touched up for 3 home runs and 4 runs while recording just 1 out in the inning. Not surprisingly, Lloyd McClendon decided to make a change. David Rollins entered, and fared much better. Rollins got out of the 7th, and held the Rangers’ bats at bay for 1.2 innings on Wednesday.

Aug 19, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Seattle Mariners designated hitter Mark Trumbo (35) hits a home run in the fifth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Mark Trumbo accounted for the only Mariner RBI this afternoon. The 29-year-old yanked a solo home run over the wall in the left field corner. The homer was Trumbo’s 15th of the season, and his 3rd in the last 10 games. Robinson Cano upped his average to .272 on the season with a 2-hit showing on Wednesday. Nelson Cruz extended his on-base streak to a career high 30 games with a single in the 6th inning. Jesus Montero went 2 for 3 today, and subsequently broke out of an 0 for 16 slump.

Derek Holland made his first start since being placed on the disabled list in early April, and despite his lengthy absence, he appeared to be in mid-season form. The 28-year-old left-hander allowed 2 runs on 8 hits while striking out 6 and walking 0 across 6.1 innings. Holland had good velocity and had solid command of his arsenal. Keone Kela finished the job for Holland in the 7th, keeping the Mariners off the board and preserving the lead. Jake Diekman‘s dominance against the M’s continued on Wednesday, as the lanky lefty pitched yet another perfect inning for Texas. Sam Dyson finished off Seattle in the 9th to secure the Rangers victory.

Mitch Moreland paced the Rangers’ offense today, going 2 for 4 with a home run, 3 RBI and 2 runs scored. Elvis Andrus had a really nice game as well, going 2 for 4 with a home run, 3 RBI and a run scored. Mike Napoli was perfect today, as he finished 2 for 2 with a home run, 1 RBI and a walk. Moreland, Andrus and Napoli combined to go back-to-back-to-back in the 7th to put the game out of reach.

The Mariners went a combined 2-4 and lost both series on this brief 6-game road trip. Seattle is sunk in regards to the postseason, as they currently sit 9.5 games back of the American League West leading Houston Astros. The prognosis is equally as bleak when it comes to the wildcard race. The M’s are 7 games back of the Los Angeles Angels for the second wildcard spot.

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The Seattle Mariners (56-65) will fly home to the Emerald City this evening, and get a day off at home tomorrow. The M’s will welcome the Chicago White Sox (55-62) to Safeco Field on Friday night. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 pm from the corner of Edgar & Dave. It will be a premier pitching matchup in the opener, as Felix Hernandez (14-7, 3.65 ERA) will be on the bump for the M’s and White Sox ace, Chris Sale (11-7, 3.32 ERA) will toe the rubber for the south siders. Root Sports Northwest will broadcast the game live locally, and MLB.tv subscribers can watch worldwide on connected devices.

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