SEATTLE (AP) — Marco Gonzales pitched a two-hitter, J.P. Crawford and Jake Fraley homered and the Seattle Mariners beat the Texas Rangers 3-1 on Thursday.
Gonzales (4-5) allowed Charlie Culberson's two-out homer in the second inning, followed by Jason Martin's single. He retired Andy Ibanez on a groundout, then faced the minimum number of batters over the final seven innings — helped by a double play that followed his only walk of the game.
The left-hander struck out pinch-hitter Jonah Heim in an eight-pitch at-bat to conclude his 108-pitch gem, getting a standing ovation from the crowd after his third career complete game.
“It was awesome,” left fielder Fraley said. “I didn't have to do anything. I just stood out there and relaxed.”
Gonzales, who hasn't lost since July 3, struck out nine while helping the Mariners to their 28th come-from-behind win. Each of Seattle's last nine games has been decided by two runs or fewer.
The starter appeared at his postgame news conference wearing a pair of puffy Incredible Hulk hands. He said he shook off catcher Cal Raleigh just three or four times.
“We were ahead in the count,” Gonzales said. “I think you can credit that to attacking the zone early and trusting all of our pitches.”
The Rangers have lost seven of eight overall and 16 of their last 17 on the road.
Texas manager Chris Woodward didn't give Gonzales all the credit — instead taking issue with his club's passivity at the plate.
“He gave us a lot of good pitches to hit, we just didn't hit them. ... He kept throwing the ball in literally the same spot,” Woodward said.
Jarred Kelenic tied the game 1-all with a sacrifice fly in the fourth, his 12th RBI in his last 15 games. Crawford homered into the second deck in right field with two outs in the fifth. Three of his six homers this season have come against Rangers starter Mike Foltynewicz.
Fraley made it 3-1 in the seventh with a two-out homer off starter Foltynewicz (2-11), who had his third straight solid outing but still hasn't won since June. Foltynewicz allowed three runs and six hits in seven innings.
“J.P. has had his number this year,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said. “And the add-on run by Fraley felt like a two- to three-run homer.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Mariners: Right-handed reliever Paul Sewald was placed on the paternity list and will miss up to three days. Seattle recalled RHP Yohan Ramirez from Triple-A Tacoma.
UP NEXT
Rangers: Dane Dunning (5-7, 4.07 ERA) returns from the injured list Friday to open a home series against Oakland.
Mariners: Welcome Toronto for a three-game series. Chris Flexen (10-5, 3.81) starts the opener.
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