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 The Rangers (53-88) own the worst record in baseball and have
dropped seven games in a row. The manager that led Texas to three
playoff trips, including two World Series, stepped down with 22
games left in the season.
"Over the past eight seasons, it's been a privilege to be part of
some of the best years in club history and I will always be grateful
for the opportunities I've had here, and for the great management,
players, and coaches who have made our time here a success,"
Washington said in a statement without addressing the media.
Tim Bogar took over as the team's interim manager.
Of the two teams playing at Globe Life Park on Friday, the Mariners
are the ones in postseason contention. Seattle (77-63) has won five
of six and entered the day a half game back of Detroit for the
American League's second wild-card spot.
The Mariners hit four home runs, including a pair of two-run bombs
from designated hitter Kendrys Morales, to support starting pitcher
Hisashi Iwakuma. The right-hander improved to 14-6 after departing
in the sixth inning with a 7-2 lead.
"That was one of those tough games to manage because so many things
can go wrong and that's a hungry club over there," Seattle manager
Lloyd McClendon said. "We pulled it out, bullpen did a nice job,
[Iwakuma] did a nice job. I thought his stuff was actually pretty
good. All in all, it was a good outing."
Iwakuma beat Texas three times this season and is tied with ace
Felix Hernandez for the staff lead in wins.
"I felt good in general," Iwakuma said. "Thought I had good arm
action, I thought my pitches were working. It was a tight strike
zone, but I thought I did well overall."
The Rangers did manage 13 hits, including three from center fielder
Leonys Martin and a two-run homer from first baseman Adam Rosales in
the sixth. Texas starter Scott Baker, released by Seattle before the
season, took the loss and dropped to 3-4.
"It was tough seeing Wash go, a guy that had such passion for the
game," Rosales said. "It's definitely sad to see him leave, but as a
ballplayer you have to move on to the next game and keep on playing
hard. I'm sure that's what Wash expects us to do still."
Bogar called his major-league debut "bittersweet" replacing a local
"icon." Bogar played for Washington in the minor leagues.
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"I actually enjoyed the fact that every one of those guys continued to
battle for the whole game," said Bogar, the bench coach under
Washington. "We gave up seven runs early and never gave up. That's just
a testament to what this team is all about. They've been doing it all
year. We just came up a little short."
The Mariners went up 2-0 in the second on Morales' towering two-run home
run to right off Baker. Second baseman Kyle Seager, who walked to lead
off the inning, also scored.
The Rangers got on the board in the fourth against Iwakuma. Second
baseman Rougned Odor lined a two-out single up the middle to bring
catcher Tomas Telis home to cut the Seattle lead in half.
The Mariners opened up some breathing room in the fifth after two more
long balls that chased Baker. Catcher Mike Zunino hit a solo shot and
shortstop Brad Miller followed with a two-run blast for a 5-1 edge.
The Rangers opened the fifth with three consecutive singles, but the
damage was limited to one run after Iwakuma induced a double-play ball
from shortstop Elvis Andrus.
NOTES: Washington went 664-611 in nearly eight seasons as Texas manager
before resigning. He's the franchise's all-time leader in regular-season
wins and games managed. He compiled an 18-16 record in the postseason,
including trips to the 2010 and 2011 World Series. ... The Mariners went
into Thursday with a 20-11 (.645) record since the start of August, the
fourth-best in the baseball in that span. ... Tim Bogar was appointed
interim manager for the remainder of the season. ... Texas extended its
major league records for players (63) and pitchers (40) used in a season
when RHP Spencer Patton and RHP Lisalverto Bonilla debuted Wednesday.
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