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Mariners-Rangers Preview

Apr 9, 2010 - 12:57 AM By MIKE LIPKA STATS Writer

Seattle (1-2) at Texas (1-1), 8:05 p.m. EDT

The Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers each have high hopes of ending a lengthy stretch without an AL West title this season, but neither got off to an ideal start.

The Rangers can hand visiting Seattle a fourth consecutive loss in the opener of a three-game set on Friday night, but Texas has dropped back-to-back games and was nearly swept to begin 2010.

The Mariners (1-3) last won the majors' only four-team division in 2001, while Texas' drought stretches back to 1999, but both clubs have reason to believe they're close to dethroning the Los Angeles Angels.

Seattle won 85 games in 2009 and bolstered its rotation by trading for Cliff Lee, but the left-hander began the season on the disabled list, which didn't help as the team dropped three of four at Oakland.

A meek offense was perhaps a bigger problem as the Mariners hit .200 with two home runs in the four games. They didn't score until the ninth inning of a 6-2 loss on Thursday.

"A couple of our guys had great at-bats all day long," manager Don Wakamatsu told the Mariners' official Web site, "but other guys are pressing right now. The guys at the top of the order are trying to feel their way through it right now, but we'll get better."

Ichiro Suzuki went 3 for 15 against Oakland while former Texas outfielder Milton Bradley is 1 for 13 in his first four games with the Mariners. Scoring runs figured to be an issue for Seattle, which finished last in the AL in runs in 2009.

The Rangers (1-2) used improved pitching to go 87-75 last year, but they didn't get it consistently while dropping two of three to Toronto. Only a ninth-inning comeback on opening day prevented Texas from being swept.

The club wasted a stellar performance from left-hander C.J. Wilson on Thursday as closer Frank Francisco blew a 1-0 lead in the ninth inning, allowing three runs in a 3-1 defeat.

"We got what we wanted, into the ninth and to our closer, but it wasn't his day," manager Ron Washington said. "I'm certain most of the time he'll get it done."

Offensive woes have also slowed the Rangers, who continue to play without injured second baseman Ian Kinsler. Leadoff hitter Julio Borbon went 0 for 12 and did not reach base against the Blue Jays, while Michael Young and Josh Hamilton were a combined 1 for 18.

Hamilton struck out in five straight plate appearances in the first two games and did not start Thursday. Washington said the slugger was "out of whack."

The Rangers will hope for improvement in support of right-hander Colby Lewis, who is slated to make his first appearance in the United States since 2007. Lewis, who has a 6.71 career ERA in the majors, spent the last two seasons with Hiroshima of the Japanese Central League.

Seattle will counter with Jason Vargas as the left-hander helps to fill in for Lee.

Vargas (3-6, 4.91 ERA) was used both as a starter and reliever last year, but finished in the bullpen after going 0-3 with a 10.13 ERA in his first three starts after the All-Star break. He was 0-1 with a 5.27 ERA in two starts and four total appearances versus the Rangers in 2009.

Seattle went 3-7 in Arlington last season, losing the season series 11-8 overall.