Bullpen fails, Rangers lose again

The Texas Rangers lost their 7th game in the last 9 as the bullpen twice failed to preserve a lead, handing the Seattle Mariners a 4-3 victory.

The Rangers took the early lead in the 1st inning when Ian Kinsler scored from 3rd on a fielding error by Mariners 3rd baseman Chone Figgins.  Texas led again 2-1 when Kinsler scored again, this time on a single by Michael Young.

Texas pitcher Alexi Ogando went out of the game in the 7th, bothered again by a blister on his finger.  Ogando had given up just 1 run on 5 hits with 6 strikeouts in his 6 innings of work.   Pedro Strop came on in relief of Ogando and gave up 3 runs to earn his first blown save and loss of the season.  Darren Oliver gave up the final run of the game to close out the 8th inning.

Seattle outhit the Rangers 10-5 in the game which saw no home runs.

Texas falls to 16-14 and will resume their series in Seattle tonight.