Hamels reaches 2,000 Ks as Rangers beat Seattle

SEATTLE (AP) Cole Hamels appreciated making a little bit of history on Sunday. He was even happier getting a big win to increase the Texas Rangers' division lead.

Hamels become the seventh active pitcher to reach 2,000 strikeouts in the Rangers 6-4 win against the Seattle Mariners on Sunday.

Hamels (6-1) picked up strikeout No. 2,000 in the third inning when he got Leonys Martin swinging. It was one of five strikeouts for Hamels, who allowed one run on four hits in seven innings. He joins C.C. Sabathia, Bartolo Colon, Felix Hernandez, Jake Peavy, John Lackey and Justin Verlander.

''I've got some pretty good company to pitch against since I've come up,'' Hamels said. ''It's pretty fun to be able to pitch with those types of guys in this league in this generation that I've been able to come up with. It just kind of pushes us to see what we can do.''

Mitch Moreland homered for the AL West-leading Rangers, who took two out of three games in the series against second-place Seattle to open a season-high five-game division lead. The Rangers have won seven straight series and 12 of their last 15 games.

''It's a good win for us, especially to play this team and how close we're probably going to be throughout the year in this division,'' Hamels said. ''I have a pretty good feeling that when we come back here again and when we play them again, it's going to be pretty tight and they're going to be really important games.''

The Rangers took a 6-1 lead after six innings. Elvis Andrus had a run scoring double in the fourth, followed by Moreland's two-run home run. It was Moreland's ninth homer and third of the series; he hit two against the Mariners on Friday. In the sixth, Andrus drove in another run with a single and Ian Desmond singled with the bases loaded to score two more.

The Mariners showed some offensive life in the eighth inning after Hamels left, helped by the Rangers' bullpen. With two outs and the bases loaded, Jake Diekman hit Kyle Seager with a pitch and then walked Chris Iannetta to give Seattle two runs before Martin grounded out to end the inning.

Sam Dyson pitched the ninth for his 10th save. Dyson gave up a run-scoring single to Robinson Cano with two outs, but Cano was thrown out by right fielder Nomar Mazara trying for a double to end the game.

''Pretty exciting,'' Texas manager Jeff Bannister said. ''We should give Mazara a save also.''

Cano said a loose shin guard slowed him down as he headed to second base.

Martin homered in the fifth for the Mariners, who have now lost eight of their last 12 games. The solo shot in the fifth inning was Martin's 10th home run of the season.

Seattle starter Wade Miley (6-3) allowed three runs on four hits in five innings and picked up his first loss since April 19. Miley had won his last six decisions.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Rangers: Starter Yu Darvish, scratched from his scheduled Monday after feeling neck and shoulder tightness during a throwing session Saturday, will get an MRI and evaluation by team physician Dr. Keith Meister on Monday. ... 3B Adrian Beltre has not played since leaving Wednesday's game with a left hamstring strain.

Mariners: OF Nori Aoki was out of the starting lineup after being hit on the right knee by a pitch in Saturday's game, but he did pinch-hit in the ninth inning.

MOVES:

The Rangers released Ike Davis from his minor-league contract Sunday. Davis, a six-year veteran, started the year with Triple-A Round Rock after a mild right knee sprain limited his time in spring training. Davis hit .268 with four home runs and 25 RBI in 39 games with Round Rock.

UP NEXT:

Rangers: Texas has not revealed a starter for Monday's game at Oakland to replace Darvish. Long reliever Cesar Ramos, who has made three starts for the Rangers, is expected to get the start, although RHP Kyle Lohse was scratched from his scheduled start for Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday and would be available. Ramos is 1-1 with a 2.76 ERA in his three starts this year, and is 1-3 with a 3.58 ERA overall in seven appearances.

Mariners: RHP Taijuan Walker (3-6, 3.48 ERA) will start against Tampa Bay on Tuesday to start a 10-game road trip for Seattle.