Rangers hand M’s 4th consecutive loss

SEATTLE — Seattle Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon isn’t fidgety or fire-breathing over this early season run of losses. It is still way too early to panic over a slow start.

Seattle dropped its fourth consecutive game — 3-1 to Texas on Friday night in front of 36,606 fans at Safeco Field to kick off its nine-game homestand.

Yovani Gallardo easily had his best game for Texas, pitching six-plus scoreless innings to outduel just-as-good J.A. Happ, who went seven strong innings, but gave up a pair of runs – one on an RBI double by Prince Fielder in the first inning, and the other on a solo home run by Robinson Chirinos to lead off the fifth.

“I tried to get ahead (in the count),” Happ said. “I don’t think I did quite as good of a job as I did in Oakland (in a 5-4 win). But I felt I was able to throw different pitches for strikes.”

Happ was the least of the Mariners’ problems, although he did face a Rangers’ lineup Friday that featured eight batters with a season batting average below .200.

Meanwhile, the Mariners’ bats were loud, just not finding holes. And they had two huge opportunities to post big innings.

Against Gallardo – in his first season with the Rangers after spending eight years in Milwaukee – in the third inning, Seattle loaded the bases on Austin Jackson’s single to right field with one out.

Up came newcomer Seth Smith, who has been one of the team’s hottest hitters, bringing a .357 batting average into the game. And Smith smashed a sharp grounder that was gobbled up by second baseman Rougned Odor, who started an inning-ending double play.

In fact, Gallardo induced double play grounders in three consecutive innings – the second, third and fourth.

In the seventh inning, Gallardo gave up a sharp single to Nelson Cruz and walked Kyle Seager before exiting with no outs.

Reliever Shawn Tolleson, who had retired 12 of the 13 hitters he’d faced coming into the game Friday, got the first out on a Logan Morrison fielder’s choice grounder to first baseman Adam Rosales, then struck out Dustin Ackley and Mike Zunino to end the threat.

“That is part of hitting – you are going to get in slumps, and you are going to get in hot spots,” Cruz said.

Zunino’s team-leading 15th strikeout came on an inside 2-2 fastball that he swung at and missed.

“There will be better days,” McClendon said. “Offensively, we are a much better club than we were last year.

“I think it will come, and it will come fast.”

Seattle’s run came in the eighth inning on Smith’s sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Brad Miller, to cut it to 2-1.

Texas grabbed a 3-1 lead in the ninth inning on Rosales’ run-scoring single that hit the third-base bag.

“One thing I’ve expressed to them is that we have to continue to grind it out,” McClendon said. “There are going to be good moments, bad moments, tough moments and moments that want to make your manager cry. We have to fight our way through it.”

Cruz’s five-game streak of hitting a home run came to an end, but the right-handed slugger still went 3-for-4 – all on sharp singles.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 8-17

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 8-17. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Silvertips’ playoff picture coming together as season hits final week

Everett is officially the Western Conference’s No. 3 seed and is likely heading into a matchup with Kelowna or Vancouver.

Los Angeles Rams offensive guard Tremayne Anchrum (72) against the Denver Broncos during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Seahawks add to position of need, sign guard Tremayne Anchrum Jr.

The 25-year-old has played in 31 games, starting once, since being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 2020.

Everett Community College head coach Chet Hovde watches as the women's team practices on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
EvCC coach Chet Hovde, who ‘lived for’ basketball, dies at 77

Coach Hovde graduated from Everett High School in 1965. He spent 33 years as the women’s basketball coach at the community college.

Jackson’s Ian Friedrichsen celebrates his goal with his teammates during the game against Bothell on Thursday, May 11, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep boys soccer: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines for this high school boys soccer season

Jackson’s Rachel Sysum is hugged by Leneyah Mitchell after hitting a home run during the game against Bothell on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep softball: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines to keep an eye on this high school softball season.

X
Prep roundup for Friday, March 15

Prep roundup for Friday, March 15: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Glacier Peak’s Samantha Christensen runs to home plate to celebrate her home run with her teammates during the game against Snohomish on Friday, March 15, 2024 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
GALLERY: Glacier Peak softball tops rival Snohomish

The Grizzlies prevail 9-5 in a clash of area powers.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

The Washington Wolfpack logo is revealed during the Everett AFL team unveiling at Tony V's Garage in Everett, Washington onThursday, Oct. 26, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett’s new arena football team to have 4 televised games

The NFL Network will broadcast 30 AFL games this season, including two Wolfpack home games.

Washington coach Mike Hopkins yells to the team during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against California, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Seattle. California won 82-80. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Looking back at Mike Hopkins’ turbulent tenure as UW men’s basketball coach

The departing Huskies coach had highs early, but the good times didn’t last long.

X
Prep roundup for Saturday, March 16

Prep roundup for Saturday, March 16: (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.