Nuno
shuts down Rangers to end long winless streak
Send a link to a friend
[September 10, 2015]
(The Sports Xchange) - Seattle
Mariners left-hander Vidal Nuno threw seven shutout innings of one-hit
ball, striking out a career-high 10 along the way, to beat the Texas
Rangers 6-0 and earn his first win since June 27, 2014 on Wednesday.
|
After ending the long winless drought, Nuno did everything in his
power to downplay his role in the game.
"A good win," he told reporters after snapping an 11-decision losing
streak, while winning for the first time in 21 starts and 45
appearances. "Everyone contributed."
Manager Lloyd McClendon was a bit more enthusiastic.
"I was cheering in the dugout: 'Nuno! Nuno!" McClendon joked.
Nuno (1-2) walked two in his 106-pitch outing before Seattle
relievers Danny Farquhar and Carson Smith each threw a perfect
inning to complete the one-hitter.
Texas (73-65) later fell two games behind Houston in the AL West
standings when the Astros beat Oakland, after the Rangers had
started the day with a chance to earn a piece of first place for the
first time since Aug. 11 but were derailed by the loss.
"(Nuno) had terrific movement and we couldn't find the rhythm
offensively," Rangers manager Jeff Banister said.
First baseman Mark Trumbo and third baseman Kyle Seager each hit
two-run homers to provide most of the Mariners' offensive damage.
That duo combined for eight of Seattle's nine hits.
"It was really cool," Trumbo said. "I don't think I've ever been a
part of something like that. It was really neat."
Texas starter Martin Perez had a tough outing, allowing five runs on
seven hits over five innings. Trumbo and Seager combined for six of
the seven hits Perez allowed.
"I think the story was Seager and Trumbo -- (Perez) making a couple
mistakes to both those guys," Banister said. "Overall, I didn't
think he threw that badly."
[to top of second column] |
The win was Seattle's first shutout victory since Aug. 28 and only
the Mariners' second since Hisashi Iwakuma's Aug. 12 no-hitter.
Three of the Rangers' past four losses were shutouts and designated
hitter Prince Fielder had the Rangers' only hit, a two-out single in
the first.
Home runs by Trumbo and Seager helped the Mariners jump out to a 5-0
lead.
Trumbo gave Seattle a three-run cushion with his 12th homer as a
Mariner, a two-run shot in the third inning that went 408 feet.
Seager then added a two-run blast in the fifth to put the Mariners
5-0 ahead.
Designated hitter Jesus Montero had Seattle's other RBI on a
bases-loaded fielder's choice in the first.
Nuno did the rest, although he was not in a boastful mood
afterwards, offering only: "I finally got that win."
Team mate Seager was a bit more complimentary.
"It was awesome," he said.
(Editing by John O'Brien)
[© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2015 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
|