Seattle, WA (Sports Network) – Tommy Hunter pitched into the seventh inning while David Murphy broke a scoreless tie in the same frame with a two-run homer, and Texas went on to top Seattle, 6-0.
Elvis Andrus drove in a run later in the seventh and the Rangers put up three more runs in the eighth, starting with a Nelson Cruz RBI double. Each collected two hits. Murphy, meanwhile, homered for the second straight game to help Texas take the final two games to this three-game set.
Hunter (9-1) bounced back from his worst outing of the season and only loss in working around eight hits and fanning five with two walks in 6 1/3 innings.
On the losing end for a third straight start and fourth consecutive decision was Mariners ace Felix Hernandez (7-9), who lasted 6 2/3 frames and gave up three runs on eight hits.
It was Seattle’s ninth loss in the last 10 games.