Through 15 games, the Seattle Mariners were 4-11 and the Texas Rangers were 10-5, with both teams proving the preseason prognosticators correct. On Thursday night, though, the Mariners took the rubber match of a series between two teams bunched together in the AL West, winning 3-1 at Safeco Field.
Rangers Vs. Mariners: Strong Pitching Gives Rubber Match To Seattle
Jason Vargas pitched 7-2/3 innings for the Mariners, allowing one run while striking out three. His lone mistake was leaving a fastball up for Ian Kinsler, who drove the ball down the left-field line for an RBI double. Colby Lewis was outstanding for the Rangers, pitching a complete game in a losing effort, giving up three runs and striking out 11 batters.
Seattle scored the first three runs of the game, with ex-Ranger Justin Smoak starting the scoring by hitting a solo home run from the left side of the plate in the second inning. Luis Rodriguez doubled home a run in the fourth, and Ichiro! gave the Mariners an insurance run in the seventh with the 2,286th hit of his career, a two-out single into left field.
Interim closer Brandon League showed no signs of giving up his role with David Aardsma nearing a return from the disabled list, pitching a perfect ninth and striking out two.
The Rangers will host the Yankees over the weekend, while the Mariners will welcome in the Chicago White Sox.
For more on the Rangers and Mariners, please visit team blogs Lone Star Ball and Lookout Landing.
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