Texas Rangers @ Seattle Mariners

[Molina00]

It's been an up-and-down series in Seattle so far for the Rangers. Kevin Millwood made the start in game 1 and the Mariners hammered him for 7 runs on 9 hits in just 3 innings including a pair of homeruns by Richie Sexson and whoever this Balentien guy is. The Rangers only managed 3 runs off of Seattle start Jarrod Washburn, two of which came courtesy of Milton Bradley who also hit his 9th double of the season.

Game 2 was a complete reversal of fortune for the Rangers. Sidney Ponson made the start and dominated the Seattle offense allowing just 1 run over 7 innings of work. He picked up his 2nd win improving to 2-0 and lowered his ERA to a minuscule 1.33. The Rangers offense struck fast and early hammering Miguel Batista for 6 runs on 3 hits and 6 walks over 2 1/3rd innings, and added four more runs off Seattle reliever Baek.

The Rangers went on to win 10-1 thanks in large part to Michael Young, Josh Hamilton, and David Murphy who each drove in 3 runs. For Hamilton, it was his league leading 34th, 35th, and 36th RBI of the season and he also hit his 7th homerun of the year.

Vicente Padilla goes up against Erik Bedard in tonight's game 3.

[Molina00]

Erik Bedard pitched very well against the Rangers, like he usually does, allowing just 2 runs on 6 hits over 7 innings of work. The only difference this time is that the Ranger starter, in this case Vicente Padilla, outdueled him. Padilla totally dominated the Seattle offense allowing just 4 baserunners through 7 innings while striking out 8. Padilla improved to an impressive 5-2 with a 3.02 ERA.

The bulk of the offense was supplied by Milton Bradley who hit his 4th homerun, and scored both of the Rangers runs. Outfielder Brandon Boggs hit his first major league triple and drove in Bradley for the first Ranger run in the 4th. Bradley then homered in the 6th to make a 2-0 game, and thanks to a pair of scoreless inning from Joaquin Benoit and C.J. Wilson, it finished a 2-0 game guaranteeing the Rangers at least a series split.

Kason Gabbard will start tonight's game making his first appearance since April 21st against Felix Hernandez.

[Molina00]

The Rangers pitching has been on fire lately with two great starts from Ponson and Padilla, and now the bullpen throwing 5.1 innings of scoreless ball in last night's game. Kason Gabbard made the start for Texas but only lasted 3.2 innings (all scoreless) leaving after what seemed to be a failed attempt to tackle him by Richie Sexson. Overall only 4 Seattle hits were allowed, 2 by Gabbard and 2 by the bullpen.

The Rangers put two on the board in the first against Seattle starter Hernandez and then added two more runs in the 2nd thanks to Ian Kinsler's 3rd homerun of the season. Texas added one more run in the 6th and called it a day with a 5-0 win to take the series 3-1. It was the Rangers 3rd win in a row (outscoring the Mariners 17-1 in total) and they are now just 4 games under .500 on the season.