• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Rangers-Mariners Preview

May 1, 2010 - 7:28 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Texas (11-12) at Seattle (11-12), 3:10 p.m. EDT

Although he didn't earn a win, Cliff Lee lived up to expectations in his first start for the Seattle Mariners.

With how Felix Hernandez has fared over the first month, the two may make the top of the Mariners rotation just as dangerous as envisioned, provided the offense does its part.

Hernandez takes the mound for Seattle on Saturday as it continues a three-game series against the Texas Rangers.

The Mariners (11-12) are trying to bounce back after they lost the series opener 2-0 in 12 innings Friday. Lee, who was traded to Seattle in the offseason but has spent the last few weeks recovering from a strained abdomen, gave up three hits while striking out eight over seven scoreless innings in his 2010 debut.

"Lee was probably as good as you can ask," Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu said. "I mean, he was near perfect."

Lee's effort, though, was matched by Colby Lewis, who struck out 10 in nine innings. The game was scoreless despite Seattle loading the bases in the 10th and 11th innings until Elvis Andrus scored on a wild pitch in the 12th, leading Texas (11-12) to its sixth win in nine games.

"It was a pretty good win ... especially the way we got it," Andrus told the Rangers' official website. "They had their chances ... but after they didn't score, I said, 'They don't want to win it, let's go win it for ourselves."

Ian Kinsler went 1 for 5 with two strikeouts in his season debut after being sidelined with a sprained right ankle.

Seattle, which has lost five of seven, was 0 for 8 with runners in scoring position and is hitting .220 overall the last seven games.

Hernandez (2-1, 2.23 ERA) also didn't receive much support in his last outing.

Hernandez, a 19-game winner last season, is off to another strong start. He pitched well against Kansas City on Monday, giving up three runs and striking out seven in seven innings, but Seattle lost 3-1.

The right-hander was coming off a complete game against Baltimore in his previous outing. He's pitched 18 consecutive quality starts.

"Felix wasn't as sharp tonight, but it shows the quality of his stuff," Wakamatsu said.

Hernandez is 8-9 with a 3.72 ERA lifetime against the Rangers. He has won his last four decisions against them, posting a 1.48 ERA in the last six meetings. He did not receive a decision in Seattle's 4-3 win over Texas on April 10, giving up three runs in seven innings.

Matt Harrison (0-1, 5.48), who will start Saturday for Texas, was on the mound for the Rangers in that game as well, allowing one run in six innings.

After two solid starts, Harrison has struggled in his last two, giving up six runs in each. He lasted six innings in an 8-6 loss to Detroit on Monday.

The left-hander is 1-1 with a 3.91 ERA against the Mariners.