Beltre's 2-run single helps Rangers beat Mariners
The AL West may be turning into a Texas shootout.
Adrian Beltre lined a two-run, bases-loaded single in the sixth inning and Yovani Gallardo pitched into the sixth as the Texas Rangers beat the Seattle Mariners 3-0 Monday to gain ground in the division.
Texas picked up a game on AL West-leading Houston, which lost to Oakland 10-9. The Astros lead the Rangers by 2 games.
The Rangers' go-ahead rally began with Delino DeShields drawing a one-out walk from Roenis Elias (4-8). Shin-Soo Choo followed with a single to center, and Elias then hit Prince Fielder with a pitch, loading the bases.
Beltre worked a full count, then punched a fastball to right, scoring DeShields and Choo.
"We really needed that," Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. "That's something we haven't done much on this trip."
Mariners shortstop Ketel Marte prevented further damage with a nifty grab of a one-hop grounder by Elvis Andrus that he turned into a double play.
"When he got contact, I never see the ball," Marte said. "I see the ball at the last second and that's it."
The Mariners were denied an early opportunity to unsettle Gallardo (12-9), who allowed five hits, struck out four and walked two in 5 1-3 innings. The Mariners put the first three runners on base to open the first, but Rangers catcher Bobby Wilson caught two of them stealing and Robinson Cano struck out.
"We didn't `kind of' run ourselves out of it, we ran ourselves out of it," Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon said. "That is something that has plagued us, something we've talked about. It's very frustrating."
Gallardo shut the Mariners down into the sixth, exiting with one out and one on. Rookie left-hander Andrew Faulkner took over and got two quick outs, then a 1-2-3 seventh.
"This time of year, that's what you need from the minor leaguers who come up fresh. He showed up big for us, five up, five down," Banister said.
The Rangers added a run in the seventh on consecutive wild pitches by Rob Rasmussen, allowing Rougned Odor to advance to third then home.
Shawn Tolleson finished the ninth to pick up his 30th save in 32 opportunities.
The loss ended the Mariners' season-high five-game win streak. It was their 10th shutout.
THIN BENCH
The Mariners had 11 relievers, adding RHP Danny Farquhar before the game for his fourth stint this season. LHP Edgar Olmos was optioned out. However, the bench is as thin as it has been all season, despite the September callups. With Nelson Cruz (quad) and Franklin Gutierrez (groin) both unavailable, manager Lloyd McClendon had just two bench options, and one was catcher Jesus Sucre. The other was OF Stefen Romero.
SLIDING INJURY
DeShields, attempting to steal third in the seventh inning, slammed hard into the bag then collapsed to the ground. He lay along the baseline briefly as the trainer treated him. He had to be helped off the field. It was diagnosed as a mild left knee sprain. He is day to day.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Mariners: OF/DH Nelson Cruz missed his fifth straight game (strained right quad). ... OF Franklin Gutierrez strained his groin Friday and also was unavailable. ... LHP James Paxton (strained middle finger) is close to returning but has been delayed by a torn fingernail during in his minor league start Wednesday.
Rangers: RHP Keone Kela (right elbow) sat out the previous Angels series as the club is being cautious with the rookie. "He has to go through his throwing program," manager Jeff Banister said. "There's a protocol there to get over to be ready to pitch today. If not today, we anticipate real soon." ... Just-activated C Robinson Chirinos (shoulder) was available as a pinch hitter.
UP NEXT
Mariners: RHP Taijuan Walker (10-7, 4.51 ERA) is 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA in two career starts against Texas at Safeco Field. He is 3-0 with a 3.26 ERA in his last seven starts overall, including his one-hitter July 31 at Minnesota. Since June 10, the Mariners are 13-3 when he starts (16 starts).
Rangers: LHP Cole Hamels (8-8, 3.70) has only one loss since being acquired by the Rangers on July 31 in an eight-player trade with Philadelphia. That loss was to Seattle on Aug. 7, a 4-3 decision. The Mariners are batting .313 in two starts against him. Hamels is 2-0 with a 2.89 ERA in his last four starts. Has the eighth lowest run support in the majors, 3.38 per nine innings.
