Mariners 6, Rangers 0
SEATTLE -- Vidal Nuno returned to the Seattle rotation and ended the Texas Rangers' run toward the top of the American League West, leading the Mariners to a 6-0 win Wednesday night.
Nuno, who was making his first start since Aug. 31, threw seven shutout innings of one-hit ball to earn his first win since June 27, 2014. The 28-year-old left-hander had lost 11 consecutive decisions and was winless over 20 appearances before beating the Rangers on Wednesday.
Nuno (1-2) struck out a career-high 10 and walked two in the win. Seattle relievers Danny Farquhar and Carson Smith each threw a perfect inning to complete the one-hitter.
The Texas (73-65) fell 1 1/2 games behind Houston in the AL West standings pending the result of the Astros' game at Oakland. The Rangers entered the day with a chance to earn a piece of first place for the first time since Aug. 11, but those plans were derailed by the loss.
First baseman Mark Trumbo and third baseman Kyle Seager each hit a two-run homer, providing most of the Mariners' offensive damage. That duo combined for eight of Seattle's nine hits.
Texas starter Martin Perez had a tough outing, allowing five runs on seven hits over five innings. Trumbo and Seager combined for six of the seven hits Perez allowed.
Nuno has come a long way since opening the season in the Diamondbacks' minor league system. He was promoted to Arizona in May and made three appearances before being traded to Seattle in early June.
Nuno joined the Mariners' bullpen and soon became a valuable asset before making his first Seattle start on Aug. 4. He logged five starts before going back into the bullpen at the beginning of September.
However, a rotation that has been depleted by injury, trade and ineffectiveness forced Nuno back into a starting role Wednesday, and he responded with his best outing of the season.
The win was Seattle's first shutout victory since Aug. 28 and only the Mariners' second since Hisashi Iwakuma's Aug. 12 no-hitter.
Three of the Rangers' past four losses were shutouts.
Designated hitter Prince Fielder had the Rangers' only hit, a two-out single in the first.
Home runs by Trumbo and Seager helped the Mariners jump out to a 5-0 lead.
Trumbo gave Seattle a 3-0 lead on his 12th home run as a Mariner, a two-run shot in the third inning. Trumbo's one-out homer, which followed a single by Seager, went 408 feet.
Seager added a two-run homer in the fifth to put the Mariners ahead 5-0.
The Mariners scored their first run on a botched defensive play by Texas second baseman Rougned Odor in the bottom of the first.
With the bases loaded courtesy of three consecutive one-out singles, Seattle designated hitter Jesus Montero hit an easy double-play ball toward Odor. The Rangers second baseman mishandled the grounder but recovered in time to get the out at second base, allowing Seager to score from third for a 1-0 lead. It was an earned run because, by rule, the official scorer cannot assume a double play.
NOTES: Texas C Robinson Chirinos was in the lineup for the first time since July 30. Chirinos missed all of August due to a strained left shoulder and was activated from the disabled list Monday. ... Seattle's lineup included C Steven Baron, who was making his major league debut. ... Rangers CF Delino DeShields was out of the lineup for the second day in a row due to a sprained knee. ... Texas CF Drew Stubbs was in the leadoff spot for the second time this season. Stubbs was still looking for his first hit as a Ranger, having gone 0-for-7 heading into Wednesday's game. ... Seattle still has not named a Sunday starter. LHP James Paxton and RHP Taijuan Walker are the top candidates, and the Mariners are waiting to see how Paxton's torn fingernail heals before he is activated from the disabled list. ... Seattle was still without OFs Nelson Cruz (quad) and Franklin Gutierrez (groin).