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Nuno stops winless skid, Mariners blank Rangers 6-0

Sep 10, 2015 - 6:55 AM SEATTLE (AP) Vidal Nuno experienced something completely different against the Texas Rangers. He won.

Nuno allowed one hit over seven dominant innings for his first victory in more than a year, and Mark Trumbo and Kyle Seager each had four hits and a two-run homer to lead the Seattle Mariners past the Rangers 6-0 Wednesday night.

''He really probably should have won a couple more before that,'' Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon said. ''We're extremely happy for him. He pitched one heck of a ballgame.''

The loss dropped Texas two games behind first-place Houston in the AL West when the Astros defeated Oakland 11-5.

Nuno (1-2) had gone 20 starts without a win, which was tied with Atlanta right-hander Shelby Miller for the longest active stretch in the majors. The left-hander struck out a career-high 10 and yielded only Prince Fielder's first-inning single. He walked two and hit a pair of batters with pitches.

''It was a jam shot. It was a broken bat. Unfortunately it was a hit and you've got to move on,'' Nuno said. ''And, sure enough, they didn't get any hits after that.''

As a starter, Nuno was 0-10 with a 4.17 ERA since his previous win on June 27, 2014, with the New York Yankees. Nuno also made 24 relief appearances during that span without a victory.

''Definitely excited,'' he said. ''After 45 since last year, just go around and shake everyone's hand, so that's a great feeling right there.''

Danny Farquhar and Carson Smith each followed with a perfect inning to finish the one-hitter, the fourth by a Rangers opponent this season.

Martin Perez (2-5) allowed five runs and seven hits with three walks in five-plus innings.

''Really, he wasn't off by a whole lot,'' Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. ''Really two guys in the top of the lineup that really did all the damage for them.''

Trumbo put the Mariners up 3-0 in the third with a two-run homer to left field following a one-out single by Seager.

Seattle extended the lead to 5-0 in the fifth. Ketel Marte drew a one-out walk and Seager followed with his 23rd home run, driving a 1-2 pitch to right-center.

''That was big for us, to extend the lead a little bit and then Seager come back and add on, that really takes the pressure off,'' McClendon said.

The Mariners added a run in the seventh on a walk to Shawn O'Malley and singles by Seager and Trumbo.

Seattle took a 1-0 lead in the first, loading the bases on consecutive one-out singles by Seager, Trumbo and Robinson Cano. Jesus Montero hit a potential double-play grounder to second baseman Rougned Odor, who mishandled the ball and settled for the force at second, allowing Seager to score.

''Everyone contributed,'' Nuno said. ''We set the tone early. We got on the board in the first inning and we just went on from there.''

Mariners catcher Steven Baron, who began the season in Double-A and was called up from Triple-A Tacoma on Tuesday, was on the receiving end of Vidal's gem in his major league debut.

''Steven called a great game for me,'' Nuno said. ''We were just connecting every pitch and didn't make any mistakes.''

TRAINER'S ROOM

Rangers: CF Delino DeShields, who sprained his left knee on a hard slide Monday, sat out and probably will not play in the series finale Thursday. ''He may push me to think about tomorrow, but I would think the earliest would be Friday,'' Banister said before the game. ''That's where I'm looking at. I'd like to get through the next two days and not need to use him.''

Mariners: OF Nelson Cruz, second in the majors with 39 homers, sat out for the sixth consecutive game with a strained right quadriceps. ''He's close. You've got to be able to run,'' McClendon said. ''He's done some steps. We'll test him today, probably.'' ... OF Franklin Gutierrez was sidelined for a fifth straight game with a strained right groin.

ON A ROLL

Seager extended his hitting streak to 12 games in the first inning with a perfect bunt down the third base line against the defensive shift. During the streak, Seager is batting .511 with four doubles, five home runs and 15 RBIs. ... Trumbo's first hit extended his hitting streak to 11 games.

UP NEXT

Rangers: LHP Derek Holland (3-1, 2.37 ERA) is 3-0 with a 2.15 ERA in four starts since coming off the disabled list Aug. 19. He is 3-0 with a 1.39 ERA in six career games - four starts - at Safeco Field.

Mariners: RHP Felix Hernandez (16-8, 3.65) has won his last two starts, pitching eight innings each time. He is 15-21 in 45 starts against Texas, his most vs. any opponent, but 3-0 with a 2.18 ERA in three outings this season against the Rangers.