(Sports Network) – Felix Hernandez took a no-hitter into the eighth inning, and the Seattle Mariners held on to edge the Texas Rangers, 2-1, in the opener of a three-game series.
Nelson Cruz broke up Hernandez’s bid with a leadoff homer in the eighth, but that was the only run surrendered by the right-hander. He ended up allowing three total hits, walked one and struck out eight over eight frames.
Hernandez (12-11) walked Elvis Andrus to start the game, but retired 21 in a row before Cruz’s homer. His performance lowered his ERA to 2.35, and was remarkable also because he had not had much success against Texas this season. In four prior starts, he had gone going 0-3 with a 6.38 ERA.
C.J. Wilson (14-7) turned in a solid start for the Rangers, limiting Seattle to two runs in eight innings. He gave up six hits, walked three and struck out six, but also threw a wild pitch that scored a run.