Texas Rangers defeat Seattle Mariners 5-1 – MLB Update
The Texas Rangers annihilated the Seattle Mariners yet again at Safeco Field in Seattle, Washington when they defeated the Mariners 5-1 on Saturday, July 16.
The Rangers marched proudly at Safeco Field after recording three-consecutive wins after the All-Star break. Moreover, they have now won all of their previous ten encounters and will be eyeing for their eleventh straight win when they take on the Mariners
once again on Sunday, July 17.
Ian Kinsler has been hitting well for the Rangers and he demonstrated his strength on Saturday night when he registered two home-runs. His form and fitness is now vital for the Rangers to continue this mesmerising show.
C.J. Wilson of Texas was up against Felix Hernandez of Seattle in the battle of the All-Stars at the mound and as many would have aspired, Wilson came out victorious. Wilson now has double-figured wins this season (10) with just three losses thus far.
Wilson pitched in seven innings and allowed just five hits and a sole run. The run came in the fifth inning and was the only run that the Mariners could score. It was an all Texas show otherwise.
Ichiro Suzuki’s single enabled Franklin Gutierrez to complete his run and level the score at 1-1 after Kinsler had scored a home-run for the Rangers at the top of the first inning.
Hernandez came back strong after the home-run and pitched four precise innings before the Texas batters’ took charge once again in the sixth inning. Endy Chavez helped the Rangers to a one-run lead in the sixth inning and this initiated the flurry of runs
that followed in the eighth inning.
Kinsler unleashed his arms yet again in the eighth inning to complete his 15 home-runs this season as Elvis Andrus and Adrian Beltre added a run each to take the lead to four with eight innings played.
Hernandez, who had seemed decent till the seventh inning, ended up giving four runs and nine hits in 7.2 innings. He managed six strike-outs but they were not of much use as they could not halt the scoring. Hernandez lost his eighth game this season and
his win-loss record in now 8-8.
Seattle’s batting is more to blame than the pitching. Managing just one run is no satisfactory performance in the Majors. With this season almost out of reach, the Mariners should now strengthen their batting for the next season.
The Mariners are now on a seven-game losing streak and have dropped down to 43-50 for the season after being 43-43 at one stage. The Rangers, however, have a comfortable lead at the top of the American League West Division and a few more wins will make them
strong contenders to become League leaders.
It will be interesting to see how the Mariners respond to this mauling at home when they play the Rangers in the last game of the series on Sunday, July 17.
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