Mariners at Rangers
Just one day after ballyhooed Japanese import Yu Darvish managed a win in his major league debut, former closer Neftali Feliz makes his first career start for the defending American League champion Rangers, who overtook Seattle for first place in the American League West with Monday’s 11-5 win. The Mariners jumped on Darvish early but could not hold on to their early 5-2 lead.
Seattle came into the four-game series leading the majors in runs scored, but it was beaten at its own game by the Rangers’ lineup, which slugged four home runs. The unimpressive start by Darvish was a departure from the outstanding pitching Texas got in its first three games, when it allowed a total of six runs to the Chicago White Sox.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, ROOT Sports (Seattle), Fox Sports Southwest (Texas)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Blake Beavan (2011: 5-6, ERA 4.27) vs. Rangers RH Neftali Feliz (2011: 2-3, ERA 2.74)
Beavan had an up-and-down rookie campaign, giving up 13 home runs in 15 starts and striking out just 42 hitters in 97 innings, but he was solid in two starts against the Rangers, splitting a pair of decisions but yielding just three runs in 14 2/3 innings of work (1.84 ERA). He threw eight shutout innings against Texas on Sept. 16, scattering four hits without a walk.
After serving as the Texas closer for the last two seasons, collecting 72 saves in 81 chances, the hard-throwing Feliz has been moved into the rotation. His innings may be monitored, since his last start came in the minors three years ago. The Mariners have been almost literally unable to touch Feliz in the past, going 0-for-48 with 21 strikeouts over his 17 relief appearances (16 innings).
WALK-OFFS:
1. The Rangers have won six straight against the Mariners and 16 of 20 dating back to the start of last season.
2. Current Texas hitters are a combined 9-for-51 (.176) against Beavan. No Ranger has more than one hit against the Seattle right-hander.
3. Texas has won 37 of their last 52 games against AL West teams dating back to last year, while Seattle has now lost 15 of their last 21 division games.