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Surging Rangers shoot for another win over Mariners

Jul 16, 2011 - 3:15 PM (Sports Network) - The surging Texas Rangers will try to remain in the win column when they take on the Seattle Mariners in the third installment of a four-game series at Safeco Field.

On Friday, Colby Lewis threw a four-hitter in 8 2/3 innings to help the Rangers take a 4-0 win over the hapless Mariners.

It was the second game in a row that the Rangers shut out the Mariners as Derek Holland held Seattle to five hits in a 5-0 win on Thursday to open the four-game series.

In fact, the Rangers have three straight shutouts and four in their last six games over the course of a season-high nine-game winning streak. They are also 2 1/2 games ahead of the LA Angels for the AL West lead.

Lewis (9-7) walked two while striking out eight to win his fourth straight decision. Ian Kinsler went 2-for-4 and scored twice in the win.

The Mariners, meanwhile, have been held to zero runs over their past 26 innings and have dropped seven straight, scoring just nine runs while being blanked three times during the slide.

Doug Fister (3-11) dropped his sixth straight decision as he gave up four runs on six hits with two walks over 7 2/3 innings. He has not won over his past eight starts after beating Baltimore on May 30.

The loser of the All-Star game, C.J. Wilson, will try to redeem himself when he takes the hill for the Rangers this evening. The southpaw won two of his last three starts before the break and has not lost since May 20th.

The last time Wilson was in action he defeated Oakland, but it wasn't easy. The former reliever surrendered four runs on five hits and three walks against Oakland. However, he received eight runs from the offense, and also struck out eight batters en route to his ninth victory.

One of Wilson's best starts this season came against the Mariners, as he went the distance against the divisional foe, allowing two runs, while striking out 12 batters.

As mentioned earlier, Wilson was a reliever before a starter, so this will be his 46th appearance against Seattle, but just his ninth start. Overall, the hard-throwing lefty is 8-4 and has also closed out seven games.

Last year's Cy Young winner in the American League, Felix Hernandez, will try to snap a three-game winless skid when he takes the hill. The last time the hard-throwing right-hander was on the field he held Anaheim to just two runs on six hits in seven innings. Hernandez struck out six batters, but did not factor in the decision.

This will be the 30th start for King Felix against Texas. In his previous 29 outings against the division rival, Hernandez is just 10-13 with a 3.84 earned run average. One of those losses came earlier this season, as Hernandez surrendered four runs -- two earned -- on six hits in seven innings. He also walked three batters and struck out six.

Texas swept Seattle in three games from April 4-6 in Arlington, but the Mariners returned the favor by taking two of three matchups May 3-5 in the Emerald City.