Rangers 9, Mariners 3
Rangers 9, Mariners 3: Ian Kinsler hit a leadoff home run in the first inning and Josh Hamilton added his major league-leading 42nd blast as host Texas took the opener of the three-game series.
Elvis Andrus doubled and tripled during a seven-run eighth inning while Yu Darvish tossed seven stellar frames for the Rangers, who remained three games ahead of Oakland in the American League West. The Athletics posted a 3-2 triumph over Baltimore on Friday.
Kinsler hit starter Hisashi Iwakuma's fifth pitch of the game into the Mariners' bullpen for a 1-0 lead. The play initially was ruled a double, but Kinsler was awarded his 17th homer after video review.
Hamilton, who sat out Thursday's loss to Cleveland after receiving an injection in his sore left knee, doubled the advantage in the third with a two-out solo shot into the upper deck in right field. Hamilton followed Andrus' leadoff double in the eighth with a run-scoring two-base hit, giving him a major league-high 123 RBIs.
Darvish (15-9) limited Seattle to one run and two hits as he won his third straight decision. The Japanese rookie walked two and fanned nine to raise his season total to 205 strikeouts, making him the 16th rookie since 1900 to eclipse the 200 mark.
Iwakuma (6-5) lasted 5 1/3 innings, allowing two runs and seven hits with one walk and four strikeouts.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Texas closer Joe Nathan was unavailable after pitching each of the previous three days. Manager Ron Washington said Nathan also may be rested Saturday as well. ... Rangers 3B Adrian Beltre was the designated hitter for the second straight game due to inflammation in his left shoulder. ... Seattle has pushed ace Felix Hernandez back a day in the rotation to make room for fellow RHPs Hector Noesi and Erasmo Ramirez, who will start against Baltimore on Monday and Tuesday, respectively. Hernandez is slated for Wednesday.