Matt Harrison outclasses Felix Hernandez as Texas Rangers beat Seattle Mariners 3-0
Matt Harrison put in a brilliant performance as the Texas Rangers overpowered the Seattle Mariners 3-0 on Sunday, September 18 at Safeco Field in Seattle.
The Mariners brought on Felix Hernandez to the mound to nullify the Rangers attacking line up. The move however made little difference as Matt Harrison came up from the other end to beat down on the Mariners’ hitters.
Texas’ manager Ron Washington was proud to see his men take care of Hernandez as the team got a lead over the Los Angeles Angels. The Rangers are on top of the division table and they had little to worry about after the game as they sit 4.5 games ahead of
the Los Angeles Angels.
The Mariners did their best to keep the Rangers quiet in the day but Adrian Beltre proved too much of a thorn against the club as he drew in two runs with a two-run homer. Much of his firm strength counted when the match was drawn even at the time.
Seattle had their chance in the seventh to quell the lead, but the Texas’ reliever, Koji Uehara struck-out Luis Rodriguez to end the inning with an important save.
Harrison ended his game with 6.2 innings of pitching as he conceded just six hits and two walks. Picking up nine strike-outs, the hurler moved on to an earned run average of 3.42. If Uehara would not have done his job, the starter would have conceded at
least one run in the game. The Japanese reliever was very important in his stint on the mound.
Harrison picked up his 13th win of the season. He is confirmed to start on the third spot in the playoffs if the Rangers go through. Neftali Feliz closed the game for the Rangers and he moved to his 28th save of the season.
Hernandez, on the other hand lost his 13th game of the season. He finished his day with seven innings of pitching. He allowed three runs off nine hits and one walk. Hernandez posted an earned run average of 3.32 and picked up five strike-outs
in the fixture.
The scoring trail kicked off in the top fourth. Elvis Andrus got on first base after he slammed a single. After two outs, Beltre came in to smash a powerful homer to left centre-field. The play pulled in two runs for the Rangers and made a big difference
in the end.
At 2-0 up, the Texans capitalised on their offensive strategy in the top of the sixth when Ian Kinsler scored off an Andrus double to left.
Mariners could not retaliate and manager Eric Wedge was disappointed to see his men falter against the Rangers in the game.
In the end, the Rangers picked up a 3-0 victory that puts them in the right spot to go through in to the playoffs soon.
Tags: