Rangers win 12-4, hand Mariners sixth straight loss

SEATTLE — Felix Hernandez and the Seattle Mariners were torched by the Texas Rangers on Wednesday.

Afterward, manager Eric Wedge was more understanding about his ace pitcher than he was about the overall team, which suffered an historic sixth straight defeat at Safeco Field. The 12-4 loss marked the first time the Mariners have gone winless in a homestand of more than four games.

“There are no excuses,” Wedge said. “If people don’t understand that, then I don’t give a damn, because if they’re not going to get it then they’re not going to be a part of it. … Somebody’s going to have to have a little bit more presence in the locker room, on the bench, on the field. It really needs to be multiple people, as well. But you really can’t be at the end of August and have two series like we just had. That’s inexcusable.”

On many of Hernandez’s starts, four runs would have been more than enough. But on this muggy afternoon he simply never had it. Balls kept drifting back over the heart of the plate, he said. And for the third straight start, his crucial changeup wasn’t working.

“I gave up nine runs, that’s what happened,” he said. “I was embarrassed, terrible. … I felt good. I was a little bit up, that was the problem. Everything that I threw just got hit, found holes and just a lot of runs.”

The Rangers (78-55) nicked Hernandez for a pair of singles in the first inning. Then they broke through for three runs on three hits in the second before tacking on two runs on two hits and an error in the third.

Hernandez took the mound in the fourth, and faced four batters — double, single, double, single — and with that his day was done.

“When he left some fastballs over the plate, we didn’t miss them,” Texas manager Ron Washington said. “We found the barrel of the bat, and we were able to put some on him.”

It was Hernandez’s third consecutive loss. The three-plus innings tied the second-shortest outing of his career. The eight earned runs he allowed were a career high.

“He’s stepped up so many times for us,” Wedge said. “It’s not just all Felix. He had a bad day today — it always starts with your starting pitching — but it still has to go back to every area of our club.

“I mean, I don’t like the way we’re playing. I didn’t like the way we played this entire homestand. I thought we showed signs of some fight, and better (at bats) and better play; but overall we’re still pretty sloppy as a ball club and not executing, whether it be offensively or defensively. And there’s no excuse for that at this point in time in the year.”

Brandon Maurer relieved Hernandez and gave up a two-run home run to the first batter he faced: Adrian Beltre. When the Mariners finally got the first out of the inning they got a sarcastic cheer from the announced crowd of 22,420. There was one out in the fourth, and the home team was trailing 10-0 — and hitless.

Seattle’s first hit came in the bottom of the fourth. Their first run followed in the fifth when Dustin Ackley continued his sizzling August by tucking a home run just over the right-field wall. In the sixth, Kyle Seager mashed one off the window of the Hit it Here Cafe — his career-high 21st of the season and the longest he can recall launching at Safeco.

The Mariners will take their 59-73 record and six-game losing streak along with them as they begin an eight-game trip to Houston and Kansas City.

“These guys are going to have to find another gear and pick themselves up by the bootstraps and stop the bleeding and get back on track,” Wedge said. “We’ve got 30 games left.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Silvertips’ Kaden Hammell (47) enters the rink during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Patterson: Overachieving Silvertips had season worth celebrating

In a season when some thought the team’s playoff streak could end, Everett put together one of its greatest campaigns.

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger hits a single against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 11, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Why the Mariners could win the AL West, and what could hold them back

Starting pitching, a renovated offense and regression in the AL West are in Seattle’s favor, but injury issues, bullpen concerns and the Houston Astros could be a problem.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27

Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.