Rangers Pathetic in 6-0 Loss to M’s

Sep 9, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher Martin Perez (33) talks with pitching coach Mike Maddux (31) and catcher Robinson Chirinos (61) during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

The Texas Rangers (73-65) came into this game just one game back of the Houston Astros in the AL West, and they looked dominant in the series so far against the Seattle Mariners (67-73). The Rangers had won two in a row and had to feel good about their chances tonight, but laid an absolute goose egg in a 6-0 defeat to the putrid Seattle Mariners. Martin Perez (2-5, 5.43 ERA) took the loss for the Rangers and Vidal Nuño (1-2, 3.25 ERA) took the win for the Mariners.

Martin Perez wasn’t great tonight, but it wouldn’t have mattered who pitched tonight with the way the Rangers were swinging it. Perez pitched five innings, giving up seven hits and five earned runs. Perez struggled with his command tonight as well, walking three batters and giving up two long balls. Perez struggled with getting ahead of batters all night, amassing a first pitch strike percentage of 66%. The Southpaw struggled tonight, but he certainly isn’t the only one to blame.

The Rangers bats were absolutely disgraceful tonight, as Prince Fielder was the only Texas Ranger to record a hit in tonight’s contest. The Rangers made converted reliever Nuño look like a Cy young candidate tonight, as he went seven strong innings of one hit ball. The Rangers themselves struck out 13 times tonight, which is good for just about every other out recorded by the Mariners tonight.

For the Mariners, besides Rangers killer Kyle Seager and Mark Trumbo, they didn’t have much offensive output either. Thankfully for the M’s faithful, both Seager and Trumbo finished the night 4-for-4 with a home run. Other than that, Robinson Cano was the only other Mariner to register a hit.

This result was absolutely shocking for the Rangers considering the fact that they played so well the past two nights. With the Rangers sitting just a game back, I thought you would see them coming out gunning. I don’t know if it was the lack of attendance that made it feel like a Spring Training game, (just 14,330 people, and that is being generous) but for whatever reason the Rangers played like the team out of the playoff hunt tonight.

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The Rangers task doesn’t get much easier tomorrow, as the Mariners will trot out their ace in Felix Hernandez (16-8, 3.65 ERA). The Rangers will counter with arguably their best pitcher of late in Derek Holland (3-1, 2.37 ERA) in hopes of winning the four game series. First pitch is scheduled for 2:40pm CT from Safeco Field, and you can watch live locally on Fox Sports Southwest or on any connected device with an Mlb.tv subscription.

Let’s hope Holland can pitch another good one for the Rangers, and the Rangers can end this road trip on a good note. Go Rangers!

Next: Rangers Shut Out Mariners in Series Opener