 and Shin-Soo Choo (single) reached base for Texas to open the seventh against right-hander Ryan Cook.Two batters later, Nomar Mazara greeted left-hander Marc Rzepczynski with a sharp two-run single to center field to tie the game at 5-all. Rzepczynski (0-1) walked Jurickson Profar and Joey Gallo before he was pulled.Against Juan Nicasio, Seattle's third pitcher of the inning, Chirinos lined a hit off Ryon Healy's glove at first base, easily scoring the go-ahead runs.A night after walking eight Rangers hitters, Seattle pitchers issued seven walks Wednesday night.It was the Rangers' first back-to-back wins on the road since taking the first two games of a series in Toronto, April 27-28. Right-hander Tony Barnette (1-0) picked up his first win of the season in relief of Matt Moore. Keone Kela earned his 12th save, giving up an RBI single in the ninth to Nelson Cruz.KELA SETTLING IN AS CLOSERKela, who graduated from nearby Chief Sealth High School in Seattle, had registered four consecutive scoreless outings in the past week before Wednesday. He has become the team's primary ninth-inning option.''I had to grow into it,'' Kela said. ''I've always enjoyed pitching in high-pressure situations - the defining moments.'' Fellow relievers rave about Kela's explosive fastball and dancing curveball.''His heater, I feel like jumps . or hops,'' Texas left-hander Jake Diekman said. ''His curveball is 12-6 (in direction) and super hard. He's always had a killer instinct.'' Kela was drafted in the 29th round by his hometown Mariners in 2011, but did not sign. Instead, he spent one season at Everett Community College before the Rangers drafted him in the 12th round a year later.''I like coming to Seattle, but I don't ever get to be here during the times I enjoy it,'' said Kela, whose mother and sister still live in the area. ''The best time is when I am playing ball, so I don't get to enjoy the city as much as I'd like to.'' FIRST BASE FOR GAMEL?After the Mariners acquired left fielder Denard Span in a trade with Tampa Bay on Friday, manager Scott Servais noted that outfielder Ben Gamel could see action at first base with Healy.Gamel played one game at first base last season.''I took a lot of early work there last year,'' Gamel said. ''But nothing this year. It is something I obviously need to get work in at.'' As the fourth outfielder, Gamel said he is willing to try anything to stay in the lineup.ROSTER RESHUFFLERangers: To clear room for Moore on Wednesday, the team optioned Austin Bibens-Dirkx to Triple-A Round Rock. . Despite being 8 for 22 (.364) in his past five games and hitting a bases-clearing double in the ninth inning Tuesday, second baseman Rougned Odor was out of the starting lineup Wednesday. Manager Kevin Banister said it was just a planned rest day.Mariners: After taking his second loss Tuesday, closer Edwin Diaz was unavailable to pitch Wednesday. He has pitched in six of the team's past eight games. Recently acquired Alex Colome would have pitched in a save situation, Servais said.TRAINER'S ROOMRangers: Third-baseman Adrian Beltre (hamstring) took extended batting practice and running sprints Wednesday, as well as fielding ground balls as he gets closer to coming off the 10-day disabled list. Banister would not give a definitive date on when he would return to the lineup. Beltre did disclose that the plan once he's back is in the first few weeks, he would play one game in the field, then serve as the designated hitter or take the next day off. ''It makes sense,'' Beltre said. ''The last couple of times I got injured were in day games (after a night game).'' Mariners: Backup catcher Chris Herrmann tweaked his rib cage during batting practice Tuesday, and was placed on the 10-day DL an hour before first pitch Wednesday. David Freitas, who was in Triple-A Tacoma, was already with the team, just in case a move was made. . Right-hander Hisashi Iwakuma (shoulder) had his batting-practice throwing session delayed yet another day Wednesday with a stiff neck.UP NEXTRangers: Left-hander Mike Minor (4-3, 5.63 ERA) has a team-high four wins. And even though he has had an awful May (2-2, 6.91 ERA this month), he won his last start in Kansas City on Friday. He has two no-decisions already against the Mariners this season.Mariners: What a roll left-hander Wade LeBlanc (0-0, 2.70 ERA) has been on since he joined the rotation. In his five starts, he has given up just five runs in 26 1/3 innings pitched (1.71 ERA). The most he's given up in any start is two runs. This will be his first career start against Texas.---More baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball)
Rangers' Moore faces tall task in return vs. Mariners 19m ago• 2 min read The Texas Rangers and Matt Moore hope his stint on the disabled list has cured all that ails him.The veteran left-hander, who has been sidelined with a sore right knee, is expected to be activated Wednesday and start that night against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field.Moore was 1-5 with a 7.99 ERA in 10 appearances (nine starts) before being hurt."Matt has shown in previous games flashes of what we've seen before when he has had success," Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. "We'd like for him to go out and extend that, be consistent in the game, give us innings and compete through the length of the game." The former All-Star still reaches 90-93 mph with his fastball and also throws a curveball and changeup.Moore told MLB.com he used his time on the DL to work on his delivery."We are results oriented," Moore said. "You can work your process as much as you want, but in the end, if the results are there, then we'll know. In general, it has been nice to throw in non-game situations, feel myself through some at-bats." Moore has a 1-1 record and 2.03 ERA in five career starts against the Mariners, but didn't draw an easy assignment for his first game back.Seattle (33-21) is scheduled to start left-hander James Paxton (4-1, 3.10 ERA), a leading candidate for the American League's Pitcher of the Month award.Paxton is 3-0 with a 1.42 ERA this month, including a no-hitter May 8 at Toronto and a 16-strikeout game May 2 against Oakland.In his last start, Paxton beat Minnesota 2-1, pitching seven innings of three-hit ball with 11 strikeouts."It's pretty much what he's been doing all year, striking out the house," Twins catcher Mitch Garver said of Paxton. "He's throwing the ball hard, mixing speeds, in and out. He kept us off balance. He's throwing the rise fastball up in the top of the zone, which is pretty tough to hit. It looks so appealing, you want to swing at it. But it's very hard to get your barrel on." Paxton has had trouble with the Rangers. He's 2-4 with a 5.10 ERA in 11 career starts against them. He faced the Rangers on April 21, allowing five runs on six hits in four innings, but didn't get a decision as the Mariners rallied for a 9-7 road victory.The Rangers (23-34) snapped Seattle's four-game winning streak Tuesday night with a 9-5 decision. Rougned Odor's three-run double to the opposite field in the top of the ninth inning off Mariners closer Edwin Diaz broke a 5-5 tie."Rougned had just a tremendous at-bat, driving the ball the other way. That's something that he has been working on quite a bit here lately," Banister said. "He has been playing a lot better, batting a lot better. It goes a long way building his confidence. Any time a guy goes into the cage and does the work he's doing, for it to show up on the field is huge. The belief system in what he's doing is key."
Looking for More Picks?
You can browse all the individual handicapper picks below.
Texas Rangers
Seattle Mariners
Pick Center
MLB
FINAL (5/30/2018)
UFCBetPicks
