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Vazquez drives in two as Rangers sink Mariners

May 14, 2008 - 5:00 AM By Jay Miller PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

ARLINGTON, Texas (Ticker) - Ramon Vazquez went 2-for-2 and for the second consecutive night drove home the winning run as the Texas Rangers downed the Seattle Mariners, 5-2, on Tuesday.

Vazquez gave the Rangers a 3-2 lead in the sixth inning with a sacrifice fly that scored Gerald Laird and lifted the Rangers to their second straight victory over the Mariners. Vazquez homered in the 10th inning Monday to give Texas a 13-12 win in the series opener.

Josh Rupe (2-1) pitched 1 2/3 innings, allowing one hit and two walks to pick up the win.

The last time Gabbard and Seattle starter Felix Hernandez faced off was last Thursday in Seattle in a game that was marked by a fourth-inning bench-clearing brawl after Gabbard hit Richie Sexson with a pitch. Sexson was subsequently suspended for six games.

"He (Gabbard) kept the ball in play tonight," Rangers manager Ron Washington said of Gabbard's performance. "We've been playing better defense because our pitchers have been keeping the ball in play and we don't have a chance to get back on our heels."

With the win, the Rangers have won seven of their last eight games and 11 of 14. After winning Monday's series opener against the Mariners, Texas secured its sixth consecutive series win - its longest streak of series wins since its last playoff season of 1999.

Texas opened the scoring with a solo run in the second frame on an RBI single by Laird, but could have had more. With one out and the bases loaded, Ian Kinsler hit into a pitcher-to-home-to-first double play to end the inning.

The Rangers took a 2-0 lead in the fourth on a leadoff walk to Laird, who advanced to third on a single by Vazquez. On a 1-2 count, Hernandez threw a pitch in the dirt to Kinsler that got past Seattle catcher Kenji Johjima allowing Laird to score.

"We're doing the little things well right now. Bringing a guy home from third base with two outs, that's a huge thing that looks little but it gets a run on the board," Vazquez said.

The Mariners tied the game 2-2 in the sixth on doubles by Miguel Cairo and Raul Ibanez and a sacrifice fly by Jose Lopez. Reliever Josh Rupe came on for Gabbard and allowed three of the first four hitters he faced to reach before getting out of a bases-loaded jam.

Laird led off the sixth with a single that was bobbled by Raul Ibanez allowing Laird to reach second. Laird then scored on Vazquez' sacrifice fly.

Seattle's Ryan Rowland-Smith came on in the seventh and pitched a scoreless inning of relief. Texas reliever Joaquin Benoit pitched a scoreless eighth inning in relief.

Texas added two unearned runs in the bottom of the eighth when Vazquez singled to right field, but the ball was misplayed by right fielder Wladimir Balantien allowing Laird to score.

Seattle manager John McLaren couldn't explain the defensive lapses that resulted in four Mariner errors.

"It puzzles me a lot because it's one of the big strengths of our club," McLaren said. "We can't be giving away four outs. When you give them extra opportunities, it changes the whole complexion of the game."

The Rangers pulled to within one game below .500 on the season (20-21) for the first time since April 12.

"When we had a team meeting a couple of weeks back, we didn't say we want to get back to .500," Vazquez said. "We're looking forward to playing good ball and things should take care of themselves."