Rangers 1st To Be Eliminated From Playoffs
ARLINGTON (AP) - The Texas Rangers are out of playoff contention.
Robbie Ross failed to get through two innings, and two more pitchers made their major league debuts as Texas lost its sixth consecutive game, 10-2 to the wild card-contending Seattle Mariners on Thursday night.
While long a forgone conclusion in a miserable season, the Rangers (53-87) became the first team in the majors mathematically knocked out of the playoff chase. They went to their second consecutive World Series only three years ago.
After throwing five no-hit innings in his previous start Saturday at Houston, Ross (2-6) allowed an infield single to Austin Jackson leading off the game. But the Mariners didn't score in the first, and the first two batters were out in the second before seven in a row reached base.
"He just couldn't execute a pitch to get out of that inning," manager Ron Washington said. "He just couldn't command the baseball."
Rookie left-hander Roenis Elias (10-12) allowed a run in five innings to become the fourth Seattle starter with at least 10 wins.
Spencer Patton, whose contract was purchased from Triple-A Round Rock earlier Thursday, made his big league debut in the fourth. He pitched two scoreless innings before Lisalverto Bonilla, another right-hander, took over in the sixth.
The Rangers have now used 40 pitchers and 63 players overall this season, extending both of their major league records. They have used 22 rookies, with 15 of them making their big league debuts this year.
Bonilla is sure to remember his first major league pitch, one home plate umpire Vic Carapazza would rather forget. The pitch bounced well in front of the plate and hit the umpire in -- well, a rather delicate spot. Carapazza took a few minutes to gather himself before the game resumed.
Cano had a two-run single in Seattle's six-run second. His two-out double an inning later, the first extra-base hit for the Mariners, drove in two more to make it 9-0.
In the first season of his $240 million, 10-year deal after leaving the Yankees in free agency, Cano is hitting .322 with 32 doubles, 13 home runs and 75 RBIs through 134 games. He had 23 games with at least four RBIs during his nine seasons in New York, and his career high is six.
"This is a game that really mattered for us. If we want to stay in the race, we've got to start early," Cano said. "When they're out of the race, you don't want to play around with them."
STAYING CLOSE
The Mariners, coming off consecutive one-run wins at AL wild card leader Oakland, stayed a half-game behind Detroit for the second wild card. Detroit won 11-4 in 11 innings at Cleveland. "I thought it was important that they came out with a lot of energy, a lot of focus, and played up to their ability and not get caught up in a lot of different things," manager Lloyd McClendon said.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Mariners: McClendon said RHP Chris Young (12-7) will start Saturday night as scheduled. "The ball came out good. He's healthy," McClendon said Thursday, a day after Young's regular bullpen session. Young gave up eight runs and 11 hits over 4 1-3 innings in his past two starts.
Rangers: Yu Darvish, who hasn't pitched since Aug. 9 because of right elbow inflammation, was evaluated by team physician Dr. Keith Meister. The Rangers expect to have a report on their ace Friday. With only 3 1/2 weeks left, it is likely Darvish will not start another game this season. ... C Robinson Chirinos (stiff neck), who missed his fourth game in a row, and RHP Miles Mikolas (right shoulder) both got injections. Chirinos is day to day and Mikolas will begin a throwing program when his symptoms dissipate.
UP NEXT
Hisashi Iwakuma (13-6), who is 8-2 with a 2.35 ERA in his last 12 starts, pitches for the Mariners in the second game of the four-game set.
Rangers scheduled starter Scott Baker (3-3) has won his last three appearances (first in relief and then two starts) after pitching in losses in each of his first 20 outings for Texas.
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