Mariners 4, Rangers 3
John Jaso’s RBI single capped a stunning ninth-inning rally as visiting Seattle snapped a string of seven straight setbacks against Texas.
The Mariners trailed 3-1 going into the ninth before breaking through against Rangers closer Joe Nathan. Michael Saunders tied it with a one-out RBI double and scored the go-ahead run when Jaso ripped a 2-2 pitch up the middle for a base hit.
The Rangers brought the winning run to the plate twice in the bottom of the ninth after Mitch Moreland singled with one out, but Brandon League struck out Ian Kinsler and got Elvis Andrus to line out to secure his third save. Lucas Luetge (1-0) pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings.
After being shut out for 6 2/3 innings by Colby Lewis, the Mariners finally snapped a drought of 23 scoreless frames when Dustin Ackley singled home a run in the eighth against reliever Alexi Ogando, denying the Rangers a shot at their third shutout victory in four games.
Michael Young put the Rangers on the board first when he singled Josh Hamilton home in the first inning. Kinsler and Andrus made it 3-0 in the seventh when they hit back-to-back solo homers with two out against Mariners reliever Steve Delabar.
Lewis scattered five hits, not allowing more than one in any inning, while striking out six without a walk. Starter Kevin Millwood kept Seattle close, allowing one run in six innings. The veteran right-hander struck out seven while walking three and allowing four hits.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Kinsler jumped into a tie for the American League lead with his third home run. ... Prior to Wednesday, the Rangers had been 17-4 against Seattle since the start of the 2011 season. ... Seattle won for only the seventh time in its last 23 games against American League West opponents.