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Rangers-Mariners Preview

Jul 9, 2009 - 6:15 AM By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer

Texas (47-36) at Seattle (43-41), 10:10 p.m. EDT

Behind the bat of Andruw Jones, the Texas Rangers finished the first part of their challenging seven-game road trip with the AL West lead.

Looking to remain on top of the division, the Rangers hope to ride that momentum into Safeco Field and stay perfect against the Seattle Mariners this season when they face All-Star Felix Hernandez to open a four-game series Thursday night.

Jones recorded his second career three-homer game Thursday in Texas' 8-1 win over the Los Angeles Angels. The Rangers (47-36) took two of three in the set and have a one-game lead over the Angels in the West.

Jones is 6 for 18 (.333) with five home runs and 11 RBIs over his last four games. After hitting three with 14 RBIs in 75 games for the Los Angeles Dodgers last season, Jones has 14 homers and 34 RBIs in 46 games with Texas.

"He's having a terrific season for them," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said of Jones. "He's obviously much more comfortable in the batter's box than he was last year when we saw him with the Dodgers."

Winners of seven of their last eight, the Rangers are 5-0 against the Mariners this season. Texas, which swept a two-game set at Safeco in May, is batting .304 while outscoring Seattle 29-15 in 2009.

Texas is 4 1/2 games ahead of the third-place Mariners (43-41) in the West.

The Rangers, though, should be in for a challenge against Hernandez (8-3, 2.62 ERA), who's 4-0 with a 1.20 ERA in his last eight starts.

Though Hernandez has lost his last five decisions versus the Rangers and is 4-9 with a 4.35 ERA in 18 starts against them, the AL pitcher of the month for June allowed four hits in seven scoreless innings of a 3-2 loss at Texas on May 14.

In his most recent start, the right-hander had his 15-inning scoreless streak end after allowing three runs and seven hits while striking out seven in seven innings of 7-6, 11-inning win at Boston on Friday.

"With guys like Felix, a pitching coach just gives him the ball, sits back and watches," pitching coach Rick Adair told the Mariners' official Web site.

Hernandez looks to help Seattle bounce back from a disappointing 5-3 home loss to Baltimore on Wednesday. Jose Lopez had two RBIs, but committed two errors in the top of the ninth as the Orioles scored five runs and handed the Mariners their third loss in four contests.

"Go home," Mariners closer and losing pitcher David Aardsma said. "Relax, and come back (Friday)."

Seattle outfielder Franklin Gutierrez is batting .477 (21 for 44) during his 11-game hitting streak, but is 4 for 18 (.222) with five strikeouts versus the Rangers this season.

The Mariners face rookie Tommy Hunter (1-1, 3.18) for the first time as he makes his fourth start of the season.

Pitching on his 23rd birthday, the right-hander earned his first career victory after allowing one run and three hits in 5 1-3 innings of a 3-1 win over Tampa Bay on Friday.

"He has great poise," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "He's not afraid to lose any of his pitches in any count."