Seattle, WA – Mike Napoli and Geovany Soto both homered in the fourth inning, leading the Texas Rangers to a 3-2 win over the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field.
Despite going 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position, the Rangers avoided a three-game sweep and lowered their magic number to clinching a third consecutive AL West title to seven.
Napoli belted a solo home run off Jason Vargas (14-11), while Soto's blast followed a walk by David Murphy.
Ryan Dempster (7-2) didn't allow a run until Eric Thames launched a leadoff homer in the seventh. Brendan Ryan then crushed a two-out homer, ending Dempster's outing.
Robbie Ross retired the only batter he faced before giving way to Mike Adams, who pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the eighth to preserve the one-run lead.
Joe Nathan worked the ninth and stranded a runner at second base to record his 35th save of the season.
Game Notes
Texas' Michael Young extended his hitting streak to 12 games with a single in the fifth ... The Mariners were aiming to sweep the Rangers for the first time since Sept. 28-30, 2007 ...Dempster scattered six hits, walked one and struck out eight ... Vargas gave up eight hits in six innings.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.