Seattle, WA (Sports Network) - Hisashi Iwakuma spun seven strong innings of
three-run ball, as the Seattle Mariners held off the Texas Rangers, 6-3,
Friday in the opener of a three-game set at Safeco Field.
Iwakuma (7-5) scattered eight hits and struck out four without walking a
batter to snap a two-start skid. Stephen Pryor pitched a scoreless eighth and
Tom Wilhelmsen blanked Texas in the ninth to nail down his 28th save of the
season.
Miguel Olivo clubbed a two-run homer and Carlos Triunfel registered his first
major league RBI, as the Mariners snapped a four-game skid.
Martin Perez (1-2) surrendered four runs -- three earned -- on six hits and
two walks over four frames to take the loss.
David Murphy finished with three hits, including a solo homer and knocked in
all three runs for the Rangers, who lost back-to-back games for the first time
since Aug. 13-15, spanning 34 games, which marks a new franchise record.
The Rangers still sit atop the AL West, leading Oakland by four games.
GAME NOTES:
The Sports Network