Nomar Mazara and Asdrubal Cabrera hit consecutive doubles in the ninth inning, lifting the Texas Rangers over Seattle 8-7 Wednesday in a back-and-forth game that highlighted the Mariners' difficulties on defense and in the bullpen.
The Rangers capitalized on three errors and a wild pitch by relief pitchers in the sixth inning, leading to one of four lead changes. Shin-Soo Choo then hit a two-run single in the eighth to tie it at 7 in an unexpected pinch-hit appearance to set up Texas' ninth-inning rally.
Texas scored three runs in the first against Wade LeBlanc, but LeBlanc settled in and worked through the fifth inning, leaving with Seattle down 3-0.
Tim Beckham hit a two-run homer in the fourth to tie it at 3, and Mitch Haniger drove in a run on a fielder's choice to give the Mariners their first lead.
Things went very wrong after Servais replaced LeBlanc.
Jesse Biddle struck out the first batter he faced, but then flubbed Mazara's comebacker for one error and threw the ball away for another, allowing Mazara to reach second. Mazara got to third on a wild pitch while Biddle walked Cabrera, setting up Rougned Odor's RBI single and Ronald Guzman's sacrifice fly for a 5-4 Rangers lead. Austin Adams relieved Biddle, threw wildly to first on a pickoff attempt but evaded further damage by striking out Jeff Mathis.
The trio of errors brought the Mariners' season total to 63. No other team in the major leagues has reached 50 yet.
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Haniger rallied the Mariners again with a sixth-inning home run off the left field foul pole to make it 7-5.
The bullpen couldn't hold that lead, either. Mazara singled to lead off the eighth and Odor walked before Choo's two-run single tied it. Mazara -- with his third hit -- and Cabrera doubled off Anthony Bass (0-1) for the lead, and Shawn Kelley picked up his sixth save.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Rangers: Manager Chris Woodward held Joey Gallo out of the game as a precaution after he injured his wrist swinging a bat Tuesday night. Woodward said X-rays didn't show significant injury, and the slugger is day to day. "If I were to bet, I'd say he'd probably play tomorrow," Woodward said. ... The Rangers promoted outfielder Zack Granite from Triple-A Nashville for roster flexibility with Choo scheduled off as well. Relief pitcher Kyle Bird was sent down to Nashville.
Mariners: SS J.P. Crawford avoided serious injury when he rolled his left ankle Tuesday night and could return to the field "in a couple of weeks," Servais said. Crawford, on crutches in the clubhouse Wednesday, was placed on the 10-day injured list. The Mariners recalled utility player Dylan Moore from Triple-A Tacoma. Moore has appeared in 29 games this season, playing infield, outfield and pitcher. ... 2B Dee Gordon (wrist bruise) and 3B/DH Ryon Healy (back) are ready to begin baseball activities after sitting out with their injuries, Servais said.
UP NEXT
Rangers: LHP Mike Minor (5-3, 2.55 ERA), 3-1 in his last four starts, opens a homestand against Kansas City.
Mariners: LHP Yusei Kikuchi (3-2, 3.82 ERA) makes the home start in a much anticipated matchup against the Los Angeles Angels and his fellow Japanese countryman Shohei Ohtani.
