SEATTLE – Doug Fister tossed seven impressive innings, outpitching Tommy Hunter to help the Seattle Mariners beat the AL West-leading Texas Rangers 2-1 on Sunday.
Ryan Langerhans hit a leadoff triple in the seventh and scored on a single by Josh Wilson, giving Seattle the lead and chasing Hunter (12-4).
Texas' magic number remained six for clinching its first division title since 1999. The Rangers have a nine-game lead over Oakland, which beat Minnesota 6-2.
Langerhans went 2 for 3 and drew a 12-pitch walk from Hunter in his first start in a week.
Fister (6-12) allowed one run and nine hits. David Aardsma issued a leadoff walk to pinch-hitter Chris Davis in the ninth but held on for his 31st save.
Nelson Cruz homered for the Rangers.
Chone Figgins singled in the sixth on a ball that deflected off second base and crossed up shortstop Elvis Andrus. Franklin Gutierrez doubled to left field, scoring Figgins from first after the relay to the plate got away from catcher Matt Treanor.
Langerhans tripled down the right-field line in the seventh and scored on a sharply hit single by Wilson.
Hunter kept Seattle's anemic offense in check through the first five innings. He allowed just two hits and didn't let a runner into scoring position until Gutierrez's double.
The Rangers put the ball in play against Fister, but couldn't come up with a clutch hit. Vladimir Guerrero was thrown out by Langerhans attempting to advance to second on a single off the left-field wall in the sixth.
Cruz then homered to left to give Texas a 1-0 lead.
Ian Kinsler and Mitch Moreland followed with singles, but the Rangers were unable to scratch out another run.
NOTES: Cruz extended his hitting streak to 11 games. ... Seattle C Guillermo Quiroz was 1 for 3 in his first start since being called up Tuesday from Triple-A Tacoma. His last major league appearance was June 14, 2009, against Colorado.
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