Texas Rangers pitcher MacKenzie Gore delivers a pitch during the first inning of a game against the Seattle Mariners on April 8 at Globe Life Field. Gore allowed one hit in five innings, aiding the team in its 3-0 victory.
The Texas Rangers (7-5) shut out the Seattle Mariners (4-9) 3-0 Wednesday at Globe Life Field.
The game was the finale of a three-game series between the American League West rivals, with the Rangers winning by one run in each of the first two matchups. The sweep is the first of the season for both squads.
Texas Rangers third baseman Ezequiel Duran runs to home base during a game against the Seattle Mariners on April 8 at Globe Life Field. A sacrifice fly from shortstop Corey Seager led Duran to score in the fifth inning.
“That was a really, really good series for us and shows you the type of clubhouse we have,” manager Skip Schumaker said. “That was not an easy series, obviously. That is a good pitching staff, good team, so it’s a good team win.”
Scoring was silent for the first four frames. Seattle was unable to get a hit until the fifth inning, and through the fourth inning, only right fielder Brandon Nimmo had any base knocks for Texas.
Texas Rangers second baseman Josh Smith throws the ball during a game against the Seattle Mariners on April 8 at Globe Life Field. Smith had one run and two hits.
The Rangers broke the scoring wide open in the bottom of the fifth inning, loading the bases and bringing three runs across the plate. Those runs were the only in the ball game, with each team only getting one hit after the fifth inning.
MacKenzie Gore started on the mound for Texas and set the day’s pace by throwing nine strikeouts and allowing just one hit, two walks and no runs in five innings of work.
Dallas resident Christopher Rodriguez, 36, plays the trumpet outside Globe Life Field on April 8. Rodriguez said he attends almost every Rangers game.
“We battled command, probably, you could say all day, but especially early,” Gore said. “I didn’t think the misses were awful, and we just kind of made pitches throughout the day when we needed to.”
Cole Winn toed the rubber in relief for the Rangers in the ninth inning and was able to get the one-inning save with just 16 pitches and four batters. The save is the first of Winn’s major league career.
Texas Rangers third baseman Ezequiel Duran singles on a ground ball during a game against the Seattle Mariners on April 8 at Globe Life Field. Duran had one hit and one run.
“He’s really honed in and throwing for strikes,” Schumaker said. “It’s righties or lefties. We feel comfortable with him in any way.”
On the offensive side, only one Ranger, shortstop Corey Seager, batted in a run. Only four — Nimmo, second baseman Josh Smith, catcher Danny Jansen and third baseman Ezequiel Duran — were able to get a hit.
Members of the Texas Rangers Six Shooters spirit squad prepare to shoot T-shirts into the crowd during a game against the Seattle Mariners on April 8 at Globe Life Field. The Rangers won 3-0.
The Rangers will take Thursday off before heading on a 10-game road trip up the West Coast, beginning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at 9:10 p.m. Friday at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
“I talked a little bit about it in spring training, that I knew that we had a pretty nasty schedule at the beginning,” Schumaker said. “This is the major leagues. If I get too far ahead of myself, I’m in trouble.”
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