Mariners Win Big Against Texas in Series Finale

ByTyler Wicke|
OAKLAND, CA - MAY 22: Mike Zunino #3 of the Seattle Mariners is congratulated by Gordon Beckham #1 after hitting a two-run home run against the Oakland Athletics during the seventh inning at the Oakland Coliseum on May 22, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - MAY 22: Mike Zunino #3 of the Seattle Mariners is congratulated by Gordon Beckham #1 after hitting a two-run home run against the Oakland Athletics during the seventh inning at the Oakland Coliseum on May 22, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)

The Mariners took the final game of a four-game stint with the Texas Rangers on Thursday night, winning in convincing fashion by a score of 6-1. The win improved Seattle’s record to 34-22 and earned the M’s a series split with the Rangers.

Wade LeBlanc took the mound for Seattle to face Texas’, Mike Minor. LeBlanc has been consistently strong as an M’s starter throughout the season with an ERA of 2.60. He earned his first win tonight, improving his record to 1-0.

The Mariners struck early in the first inning when Jean Segura hit a sacrifice fly to score Dee Gordon after a leadoff triple. Gordon returned Thursday from the 10-day disabled list recovering from a fractured toe.

Nelson Cruz added on to the Mariners lead in the third with a 2-run blast to left field, extending Seattle’s lead to 3-0. Cruz has been on a hot streak, having 8 hits in his last 16 at-bats.

Wade LeBlanc allowed a solo home-run to Nomar Mazara in the fourth inning, but it was the only blemish on the scoreboard. LeBlanc went five innings, allowing four hits and just the one run in the fourth.

From then on, the Mariners played add-on. Seattle scored two more in the fifth inning as Mike Zunino scored on a throwing error. Nelson Cruz then hit a sacrifice fly to bring in Jean Segura to give Seattle a 5-1 lead.

Ryon Healy singled in Jean Segura in the seventh to tack on another run. Through seven innings, Seattle led 6-1.

The Mariners bullpen recovered Thursday after blowing 2-run leads both Tuesday and Wednesday. James Pazos pitched the sixth inning and did not let a run score despite allowing two hits. Juan Nicasio went 1-2-3 in the seventh with two strikeouts, and Chasen Bradford pitched the final two innings of the game to close the door on Texas.

Next: Gonzales for O'Neill: A look back

The Mariners won the game 6-1 to complete a series split with the Rangers. They will face the Tampa Bay Rays for a weekend series to complete their 10-game homestand. Mike Leake will take the mound Friday night as the Mariners look to chase the first-place Houston Astros in the American League West. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10PT.

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