Seattle Mariners Take Series From Texas Rangers, Reclaim AL West Lead

Andrew Heaney allowed two, two-run home runs as the Seattle Mariners edged the Texas Rangers 4-3 Thursday afternoon after Globe Life Field.

Texas Rangers shortstop Josh Smith celebrates his game-tying solo home run in the fourth inning Wednesday at Globe Life Field in Arlington. | © Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports

ARLINGTON — The Texas Rangers offense is scuffling, and it's starting to become a problem.

Seattle Mariners pitchers stymied Rangers bats to take two of three games in the series with a 4-3 win Thursday afternoon at Globe Life Field.

Andrew Heaney retired 10 consecutive batters after Ty France's two-run homer in the first inning. Dylan Moore's double to lead off the fifth snapped the streak and Luis Urias's two-run homer an out later gave the Mariners a 4-2 lead.

Heaney allowed four runs on five hits in six innings. He struck out seven and walked none. Cole Winn pitched two perfect innings of relief.

The Mariners reclaimed a half-game lead atop the American League West with the win.

The Rangers dropped to 6-7 at Globe Life Field and are 3-6 in day games after Thursday's loss.

1. Davis Wendzel Collects First MLB Hit

Apr 9, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers catcher Jonah Heim (28) reacts with third baseman | Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports

Infielder Davis Wendzel collected his first Major League hit with a pinch-hit single to left field in the eighth inning on Thursday. It came off left-hander Gabe Speier with two outs. Wendzel pinch-hit for the left-hitting Evan Carter, who is 1 for 13 with five strikeouts against left-handers this season.

First @MLB hit for Davis Wendzel! pic.twitter.com/KHdhv0Urhq

— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) April 25, 2024

2. Josh Sborz Activated

Apr 6, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher Josh Sborz (66) is visited on the mound by | Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports

Right-hander Josh Sborz was activated from the 15-day Injured List before Thursday's game. Sborz, 30, went on the IL with a right rotator cuff strain on April 7.

Right-hander Grant Anderson was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock.

3. Cole Winn Rising

Apr 23, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Cole Winn (60) pitches in relief | Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

One of the bright points of the past week has been reliever Cole Winn. The right-hander has held opponents hitless and struck out seven and walked one over six scoreless innings of relief, including two perfect innings behind Heaney on Thursday.

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