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Ponson dominates as Rangers rout Mariners

May 7, 2008 - 6:36 AM SEATTLE (Ticker) -- The Texas Rangers are happy they took a chance on Sidney Ponson.

Ponson pitched seven outstanding innings Tuesday night to lead the Rangers to a 10-1 victory over the Seattle Mariners.

"Ponson did a great job of getting us there," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "He worked fast, gave us a lot of ground balls. ... I think he realized this might be his last chance, and I think we've caught lightning in a bottle."

Texas signed Ponson (2-0) to a minor league contract in the offseason after the veteran righthander posted a dismal 2-5 record and 6.93 ERA in seven starts for the Minnesota Twins last season, with his last win coming on May 1, 2007.

Injuries in the starting rotation forced the Rangers to call upon Ponson, who was just 1-2 with a 3.47 ERA in five games - four starts - for Class AAA Oklahoma this season.

However, the 31-year-old won for the second time in as many starts for the Rangers on Tuesday, allowing just one run, seven hits and a walk while striking out two.

"I was just hoping for a chance to get called up to the big leagues, and now it's up to me to do my job and stay up here," Ponson said. "It really helps to get some runs early in the game. Then you just have to concentrate and get people out and let those guys behind you play baseball."

Texas wasted no time, spotting Ponson a 3-0 lead by the end of the second inning before sealing the win with seven runs in the third.

"The third inning wasn't a good inning," Mariners manager John McLaren said. "We need to make better pitches, and we didn't make them. It was one of those games where we fell behind, and we fell behind by a lot of runs. It's a mental grind."

After Mariners starter Miguel Batista (2-4) walked Milton Bradley to open the decisive third inning, David Murphy followed with his fourth home run of the season.

"It felt good, especially here," Murphy said of his blast. "I feel like I've hit some balls well here before that haven't gone out, so it felt good to get one out."

Brandon Boggs struck out swinging and, following a walk to Frank Catalanotto, Batista was relieved by Cha Seung Baek, who got Jarrod Saltalamacchia to fly out.

But the Rangers rallied with two outs as Ramon Vazquez singled to right field before Ian Kinsler walked to load the bases. Michael Young made Baek pay, making it 7-0 with a two-run single to center.

Josh Hamilton capped the frame with a three-run homer, his seventh this season. With the blast, Hamilton increased his league-leading RBI total to 36.

Batista surrendered six runs and three hits while walking six in just 2 1/3 innings.

"They let me beat myself," Batista said. "I gave up one home run, but beside that, nobody hit the ball hard at all."

The 37-year-old righthander threw just 45 strikes, with 44 of his 85 pitches coming in the first inning alone. Batista has walked 14 batters in his last 10 1/3 frames.

"His delivery looks the same," McLaren said. "He doesn't look like he's overthrowing or anything. (Pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre) is going to check the tapes. It's just one of those things he needs to work his way through."