Rangers 5, Mariners 2: David Murphy had three RBIs and Derek Holland struck out 10 in 6 2/3 innings as visiting Texas handed Seattle its eighth straight defeat.
Nelson Cruz homered and the Rangers racked up 13 hits while knocking off Mariners ace Felix Hernandez (5-4) for the second time this season and 18th time in 30 decisions against the former Cy Young Award winner. Texas has beaten Seattle five straight times and seven of nine this season.
Holland (4-2) allowed two unearned runs and four hits while improving to 8-2 against the Mariners. Joe Nathan worked the ninth for his 16th save in 16 opportunities and the 314th of his career, tying Robb Nen for 17th on the all-time list.
Texas touched Hernandez for three second-inning runs on Jurickson Profarâ??s single and Murphyâ??s two-run double. Cruz belted his 12th homer in the fifth and Murphy delivered a run-scoring single in the sixth.
Kendrys Morales stroked a two-run double in the third for Seattleâ??s runs. Hernandez struck out nine in 5 2/3 innings, but allowed five runs and 11 hits.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Texas also had 13 hits in Fridayâ??s opener of the three-game series. â? Seattle has been outscored 60-23 during its losing skid. â? The 20-year-old Profar went 2-for-4 for the second multihit game of his career.
