Holland Leads Rangers Past Mariners

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The Texas Rangers kicked off the second half of the season with a 3-2 win over the Mariners in Seattle.

Derek Holland shut down the Mariners, going 7 2/3 scoreless innings.  Holland allowed just 4 hits and struck out 4.  Rangers manager Ron Washington was happy with Holland’s performance, but wants more, “We believe in him. We’re going to keep giving him the ball and hope he continues to progress.”

Reliever Joe Nathan made things interesting for the Rangers in the ninth inning.  Nathan gave up 2 runs on 3 hits before getting the final out and earning his 19th save.  

The game was scoreless until the 5th inning when Michael Young singled to center and was brought home on a line drive by Ian Kinsler.  In the 6th inning, Josh Hamilton singled and was brought home on a home run by Adrian Beltre.  It is Beltre’s 16th home run of the season.

Kinsler and Young were the only Rangers with multiple hits as Texas was held to just 9 hits in the game.

The win gives the Rangers a 5-game lead over the Angels in the American League West. 

Yu Darvish is set to be on the mound tonight as the Rangers face Seattle again.  First pitch is at 8:10pm.