A.L. West Standings Update: Rangers Lead Is Now At 5.5 Games

The Texas Rangers are looking once again to be the A.L. West champions as they have a comfortable 5.5 game lead over the Los Angeles Angels. This past week after the All-Star break the Rangers went 2-1 against the last place Seattle Mariners.

There could be a possible shake up in the standings at the top as the Rangers and Angels face off in a three-game series starting on Friday. So, the Rangers can either really expand their lead, or the Angels can make a race out of the A.L. West in the second half off the season if they can pull of a few wins in that upcoming series.

For more on the Rangers, check out Lone Star Ball. Find all of your baseball news at Baseball Nation.

Rangers Vs. Mariners Final Score: Matt Harrison Shuts Out Seattle 4-0

The Texas Rangers bounced back from Saturday's shutout loss to the Seattle Mariners with a 4-0 shutout of their own. The Rangers were stymied by Felix Hernandez on Saturday but Matt Harrison returned the favor in Sunday's series finale.

Harrison got all the offense he would need in the first inning when Josh Hamilton drove home the game's first run with an RBI groundout. Adrian Beltre extended the lead in third with a two-run single and Ian Kinsler hit his 10th home run of the season in the fifth.

That was plenty for Harrison who allowed five hits while pitching around four walks in the complete game victory. Hisashi Iwakuma takes the loss allowing seven hits and all four runs in five innings of work.

Beltre had three hits for the Rangers and Craig Gentry added two. Michael Saunders finished with two hits for the Mariners.

For more on the Rangers, check out Lone Star Ball. Mariners news and info can be found at Lookout Landing, and all your baseball news is available at Baseball Nation.

Rangers Vs. Mariners: Game 3 Lineups Announced

The lineups for Sunday's Rangers / Mariners game have been announced, as expected, Texas catcher Mike Napoli is out until at least Tuesday. Yorvit Torrealba will start in his place after taking Napoli's place two days ago.

Texas Rangers:

1. Ian Kinsler (R) 2B

2. Elvis Andrus (R) SS

3. Josh Hamilton (L) DH

4. Adrian Beltre (R) 3B

5. Michael Young (R) 1B

6. Nelson Cruz (R) RF

7. David Murphy (L) LF

8. Yorvit Torrealba (R) C

9. Craig Gentry (R) CF

Seattle Mariners:

1. Brendan Ryan (R) SS

2. Ichiro Suzuki (L) RF

3. Casper Wells (R) LF

4. Jesus Montero (R) DH

5. Justin Smoak (S) 1B

6. Kyle Seager (L) 2B

7. Miguel Olivo (R) C

8. Michael Saunders (L) CF

9. Chone Figgins (S) 3B

For more on the Rangers, check out Lone Star Ball. Mariners news and info can be found at Lookout Landing, and all your baseball news is available at Baseball Nation.

Rangers Vs Mariners Sunday Time, TV, Radio Info And More

Matt Harrison will take the mound on Sunday for the Rangers as they hope to bounce back from Saturday's shutout loss on Sunday in Seattle. The Rangers pulled out a 3-2 win on Friday but ran into Felix Hernandez on Sunday who pitched a gem in a 7-0 loss.

Harrison is 11-4 with a 3.10 ERA this season but will try to bounce back from a rough outing in the All-Star game where he allowed three runs in just an inning of work to the National League. Harrison has been really good against Seattle of late going 6-0 with a 1.91 ERA in his last six games against the Mariners.

Seattle will counter with Hisashi Iwakuma who will be making his second start at the Major League level.

Game Date/Time: Sunday, July 15, 3:10 p.m. CT

Location: Safeco Field, Seattle, Washington

TV: Fox Sports Southwest

Radio: 103.3 ESPN

Online Streaming: MLB.tv

For more on the Rangers, check out Lone Star Ball. Mariners news and info can be found at Lookout Landing, and all your baseball news is available at Baseball Nation.

Rangers Vs. Mariners Final Score: Seattle Shuts Out Texas 7-0

Felix Hernandez pitched a complete game shutout as the Seattle Mariners defeated the Texas Rangers 7-0. Hernandez allowed only three hits and struck 12 batters for his best game of the season and improve his record to 7-5. The Rangers had no answer for Hernandez who was on all day.

Of those three hits the Rangers had just one runner in scoring position, and that chance came in the seventh inning when Elvis Andrus made it to third base but no Ranger could get him across the plate.

Rangers Vs. Mariners Game 2 Lineup: Yu Darvish Starting For First Time Since All-Star Game

The Texas Rangers are sending out Yu Darvish to the mound and while he is 10-5 this year and has been impressive, but he has struggled in his two starts against the Seattle Mariners. Darvish has pitched 9.2 innings and gave up nine earned runs, 10 walks and 12 hits against the Mariners.

Felix Hernandez gets the start for the Mariners and he has had only one start against the Rangers this year, and in that start he struck out seven and allowed only one run.

The only changes for the Rangers lineup are Nelson Cruz is swapping positions with David Murphy. Cruz moves to the designated hitter spot and Murphy goes to right field for Saturday's game. The other move is having Yorvit Torrealba catching due to Mike Napoli being out with a knee injury he suffered Friday night.

Rangers lineup:
1. Ian Kinsler 2B
2. Elvis Andrus SS
3. Josh Hamilton LF
4. Adrian Beltre 3B
5. Nelson Cruz DH
6. Michael Young 1B
7. David Murphy RF
8. Yorvit Torrealba C
Yu Darvish P

Mariners lineup:
9. Leonys Martin CF
1. Dustin Ackley 2B
2. Ichiro Suzuki RF
3. Casper Wells LF
4. John Jaso C
5. Michael Saunders CF
6. Justin Smoak 1B
7. Kyle Seager 3B
8. Carlos Peguero DH
9. Brendan Ryan SS
Felix Hernandez P

Mike Napoli Injury: Texas' Catcher To Miss Saturday's Contest

Rangers fans were excited to have meaningful baseball back on Friday night, as the Rangers continued their winning ways, defeating the Seattle Mariners 3-2 in Seattle.

Rangers fans, however, are not going to be too thrilled to learn that catcher Mike Napoli will miss at least Saturday's game, because of an injury suffered in Friday's win.

Napoli was injured in the fifth inning has he slid into Mariners catcher Miguel Olivo and was tagged for the final out. Napoli remained in the game, but said that he was unable to continue for the ninth inning. He was replaced by Yorvit Torrealba, who would start in Napoli's absence.

Napoli said it hurt at the bottom of the muscle near his knee ever time he crouched behind the plate.

"I tried to stay in there, but I couldnt't really take it anymore," Napoli said.

Hopefully for the Rangers and Napoli, the injury won't require a stint on the disabled list.

For more on the Rangers, head over to Lone Star Ball.

Texas Rangers Vs. Seattle Mariners: Saturday Preview, TV Schedule And More

Two aces will face off against each other on Saturday night in Seattle, as Yu Darvish and the Texas Rangers continue a three-game series against Felix Hernandez and the Seattle Mariners.

Derek Holland notched the win on Friday night, in Texas' 3-2 win over Seattle. Joe Nathan was shaky, giving up two runs in the ninth on three hits and a walk, but managed to shut the door and preserve Holland's sixth victory of the year.

Darvish will be looking for his 11th win of the season. He last started on July 1, when he pitched seven strong innings against the Oakland Athletics, striking out 11 while giving up three runs. Darvish, though, was hung with the loss in that game.

To date, Darvish is 10-5, with a 3.59 ERA, .227 BAA and 1.36 WHIP. He has struck out 117 in 102 and 2/3 innings, while walking 53.

Texas' offense might have a tough time scratching together runs, as they'll face off against Felix Hernandez. Hernandez is 6-5 on the year, with a 3.13 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and .250 BAA. He's struck out 128 in 123 and 2/3 innings on the year.

First pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. CT. Televised coverage can be found on FOX Sports Southwest.

For more on the Rangers, head over to Lone Star Ball.

Rangers Deliver Heart Attacks To Start Second Half

Texas survived terrible luck in the ninth inning to defeat the Seattle Mariners 3-2, on the strength of strong pitching from Derek Holland, and just enough from a still-struggling offense.

Rangers Vs. Mariners: Friday's Lineups Announced

The Rangers come out of the All-Star break with a series against the Mariners in Seattle.

Texas and Seattle are at opposite ends of the AL West standings, with the Rangers sitting in first and the Mariners sitting 16 1/2 games back. The lineups for Friday's game have been announced.

Here is the Rangers lineup:

1. Ian Kinsler 2B

2. Elvis Andrus SS

3. Josh Hamilton DH

4. Adrian Beltre 3B

5. Nelson Cruz RF

6. Michael Young 1B

7. David Murphy LF

8. Mike Napoli C

9. Leonys Martin CF

Here is the Mariners lineup:

1. Dustin Ackley 2B

2. Ichiro Suzuki RF

3. Casper Wells LF

4. Jesus Montero DH

5. Kyle Seager 3B

6. Justin Smoak 1B

7. Miguel Olivo C

8. Michael Saunders CF

9. Brendan Ryan SS

For more on the Texas Rangers, check out Lone Star Ball. Seattle Mariners news and info can be found at Lookout Landing, and all your baseball news is available at Baseball Nation.

Rangers Vs. Mariners: Game 1 Preview, TV Info And More

The Rangers are leading the AL West at the halfway mark of the MLB season for the third straight year. They'll continue their defense of the division at Seattle on Friday.