Rangers 3 - 0 Mariners
Final
  for this game

Rangers go for series win at Safeco

Sep 18, 2011 - 3:10 PM

Video

(Sports Network) - The Texas Rangers try to get one step closer to winning a second straight American League West title this afternoon when they go for a series win over the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field.

The Rangers bounced back from a loss in Friday's opener on Saturday when Josh Hamilton homered and knocked in three runs to help Texas to a 7-6 win.

Elvis Andrus and Adrian Beltre also hit home runs, as the Rangers won for the fifth time in six games and upped their lead atop the division to 4 1/2 games ahead of the Angels, who lost in Baltimore.

"We've got to take advantage," Beltre said. "They're losing games, so we've got to win games. Make it easier on us and not give them a chance when we play them again."

Colby Lewis (13-10) allowed six runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out seven in 5 2/3 innings for the win.

Neftali Feliz tossed a perfect ninth to earn his 27th save of the year.

The Rangers' magic number to clinch the division now stands at seven. They are also one game behind the AL Central champion Tigers for the second seed in the AL playoffs, which would mean opening at home instead of the road.

"This was a good one to get," first baseman Michael Young said. "Seattle has been playing us tough. That's the point at this time of the year; we just have to keep winning games, lock it down and continue to play good baseball the last couple of weeks."

Ichiro Suzuki went 2-for-4 with two RBI. The two RBI gave him 601 for his career, making him the fifth player in Mariners' history to accomplish that feat.

Anthony Vasquez (1-4) allowed five runs on seven hits and a walk through three-plus innings in Seattle's fifth loss in seven games.

"You just got to tip your hat I guess. You look back and wish you made a couple different pitches, but they just put some runs on the board fast." Vasquez said about his outing.

The Rangers may have their work cut out for them today, though, as they go up against reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Felix Hernandez, who is 14-12 on the year with a 3.30 ERA. Hernandez had a three-start winning streak stopped on Monday against the Yankees, as he allowed six runs and nine hits in six innings.

"It happens," Hernandez said. "It happens all the time. You just have to forget about this one and get ready for the next one."

Hernandez lost to the Rangers the last time he faced them and is a mere 10-14 lifetime against them with a 3.87 ERA in 30 starts.

The Rangers will counter with lefty Matt Harrison, who has won his last two starts. Harrison beat the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday, holding them to three runs and seven hits in five innings, as he improved to 12-9 on the year to go along with a 3.56 ERA.

Harrison is 4-1 in 11 games (seven starts) against the Mariners with a 2.81 ERA.

Texas has dominated the Mariners this season, taking 11 of the 15 matchups, including six of the nine meetings in Seattle.






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