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Hamilton, Wilson lead Rangers over Mariners 12-2

Jun 10, 2010 - 4:14 AM ARLINGTON, Texas(AP) -- Josh Hamilton said recently he wants the Texas Rangers' offense to have more of a killer instinct.

How about 15 hits and a season-best 10-run victory margin?

Hamilton kept rolling with a home run and three RBIs, giving him three homers and 10 RBIs in the last six games, and the Rangers went on to a 12-2 rout of the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday night.

"We had a big inning early, and then 'let's get another one, and another one after that,"' said Hamilton, who's on a 15-for-35 tear (.429) to raise his average from .281 to .304. "You don't want to let 'em back in the game."

Hamilton's two-run shot keyed a six-run burst in the second inning against Ian Snell (0-5).

Michael Young homered and Vladimir Guerrero added three hits for the Rangers, 7-2 against the Mariners this season.

"We're swinging the bats really well over the last few weeks, doing what we're capable of doing," Young said. "If we keep improving on offense, we'll be in great shape at the end of the year. We're having good at-bats, working good counts, and finding ways of putting runs across."

C.J. Wilson pitched seven effective innings for the Rangers.

Wilson (5-3) took advantage of the early run support. He overcome a shaky first inning, and allowed two runs and four hits overall.

"I was just trying to throw strikes and cruise," Wilson said.

Seattle has lost five of six.

The Mariners took a 2-0 lead in the first on consecutive RBI doubles by Jose Lopez and Josh Wilson.

But Snell couldn't protect the edge in the bottom half as Texas tied it on Young's solo homer and Guerrero's RBI double.

"I have nothing but confidence in our team scoring runs," Wilson said. "When (Young) hits a homer right away, you know it's going to be one of those days and we'll be OK."

Texas broke away in the second with Hamilton's homer and RBI singles by Young, Ian Kinsler and Guerrero. Another runner scored on Snell's wild pitch.

Snell, who hasn't won since last Sept. 20, allowed seven earned runs and eight hits in 1 2-3 innings, raising his ERA from 4.64 to 5.89.

"I don't think it's so much a command issue as trying to be too perfect around the plate," said Snell, winless in his last 10 starts dating to last season. "I just missed locations and they hit the ball hard."

Seattle manager Don Wakamatsu said he didn't know whether Snell would stay in the rotation.

"We'll have some discussions," Wakamatsu said. "We could make a decision in the next day or two."

NOTES: Wakamatsu said Snell threw first-pitch strikes to only five of the 14 batters he faced. ... Rangers LHP Derek Holland threw another bullpen session in the next step in his rehab from left rotator cuff inflammation, but Holland said he felt "a pinch" about halfway through and quit throwing. Holland said "it's a minor thing, a precautionary thing. You don't want it to flare up." Holland said the next throwing session will be off flat ground. ... Texas SS Elvis Andrus went 0 for 5, snapping his 13-game hitting streak. Andrus also ended a string of three straight games with an error. Rangers manager Ron Washington said the fielding lapses were the product of being mentally tired. "He'll pick it back up," Washington said. "Those are balls Elvis doesn't mess up so you know that mentally he might be a little fatigued." ... Seattle SS Jack Wilson (strained right hamstring) played five innings Tuesday for Triple-A Tacoma with no problems. He'll play again Thursday, and if all goes well there's a chance Wilson could join the Mariners in St. Louis on Monday for a series against the Cardinals. Wilson could have a hard time displacing Josh Wilson, who went 2 for 4 on Wednesday night and has been one of Seattle's hottest hitters. ... Mariners C Adam Moore (hyperextended left fibula) is expected to be activated from the 15-day DL on Thursday.