AL: TEXAS at SEATTLE <div class="pre">AL AT SEATTLE - MID INNING UPDATE PLAY: M Byrd in center field. SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS CURRENT SCORE: TEXAS 9 SEATTLE 8 BOTTOM, 9TH DUE UP FOR SEATTLE: J Vidro (.297, 1-FOR-4)</div>
AL: TEXAS at SEATTLE <div class="pre">AL AT SEATTLE - PITCHING CHANGE TEX: ERIC GAGNE (1-0, 0.82) STARTING THE 9TH CURRENT SCORE: TEXAS 9, SEATTLE 8 DUE UP FOR SEATTLE: J VIDRO (.297, 1-FOR-4)</div>
AL: TEXAS at SEATTLE <div class="pre">AL AT SEATTLE - MID INNING UPDATE PLAY: E Gagne relieved A Otsuka. SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS CURRENT SCORE: TEXAS 9 SEATTLE 8 BOTTOM, 9TH DUE UP FOR SEATTLE: J Vidro (.297, 1-FOR-4)</div>
AL: TEXAS at SEATTLE <div class="pre">AL AT SEATTLE - MID INNING UPDATE PLAY: J Ellison ran for J Vidro. SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, J ELLISON ON FIRST, 0 OUTS CURRENT SCORE: TEXAS 9 SEATTLE 8 BOTTOM, 9TH DUE UP FOR SEATTLE: B Broussard (.296, 0-FOR-1)</div>
AL: TEXAS at SEATTLE <div class="pre">AL FINAL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E - - - - - - - - - - - - TEXAS 0 1 3 1 2 0 1 1 0 9 16 2 SEATTLE 1 0 3 3 0 0 1 0 0 8 12 1 (FINAL) BATTERIES: TEX - KEVIN MILLWOOD, WES LITTLETON (6TH), C.J. WILSON (7TH), JOAQUIN BENOIT (7TH), AKINORI OTSUKA (8TH), ERIC GAGNE (9TH) AND GERALD LAIRD SEA - JARROD WASHBURN, SEAN WHITE (4TH), ERIC O'FLAHERTY (6TH), SEAN GREEN (7TH), GEORGE SHERRILL (8TH), JASON DAVIS (9TH) AND KENJI JOHJIMA HOME RUNS: TEX - NONE SEA - RICHIE SEXSON (8) OFF JOAQUIN BENOIT IN THE 7TH, 0 ON</div>
AL: TEXAS at SEATTLE <div class="pre">AL FINAL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E - - - - - - - - - - - - TEXAS 0 1 3 1 2 0 1 1 0 9 16 2 SEATTLE 1 0 3 3 0 0 1 0 0 8 12 1 (FINAL) BATTERIES: TEX - KEVIN MILLWOOD, WES LITTLETON (6TH), C.J. WILSON (7TH), JOAQUIN BENOIT (7TH), AKINORI OTSUKA (8TH), ERIC GAGNE (9TH) AND GERALD LAIRD SEA - JARROD WASHBURN, SEAN WHITE (4TH), ERIC O'FLAHERTY (6TH), SEAN GREEN (7TH), GEORGE SHERRILL (8TH), JASON DAVIS (9TH) AND KENJI JOHJIMA WP - JOAQUIN BENOIT (2-1) LP - SEAN GREEN (0-1) SAVE - ERIC GAGNE (4) HOME RUNS: TEX - NONE SEA - RICHIE SEXSON (8) OFF JOAQUIN BENOIT IN THE 7TH, 0 ON TIME: 3:38 ATT: 34,570 PROBABLES: TEX - KAMERON LOE (1-4, 6.17) SEA - MIGUEL BATISTA (5-4, 5.72)</div>
AL: TEXAS at SEATTLE <div class="pre">TEXAS (9) VS SEATTLE (8) - FINAL TEXAS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg K Lofton cf 5 0 2 1 0 0 5 .265 N Cruz lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .193 M Young ss 5 2 2 1 1 0 2 .260 M Teixeira 1b 2 1 1 0 0 0 2 .297 R Vazquez 3b 3 0 1 0 1 1 1 .342 S Sosa dh 4 1 1 2 1 0 4 .250 V Diaz rf 5 1 3 2 0 0 4 .283 M Byrd lf-cf 4 1 3 1 2 0 1 .346 I Kinsler 2b 3 1 1 0 3 0 4 .235 G Laird c 5 1 2 1 1 0 8 .228 M Kata 3b-1b 4 1 0 1 0 1 6 .197 Totals 40 9 16 9 9 2 37 BATTING: 2B - M Byrd (1, J Washburn); M Teixeira (16, J Washburn); M Young (18, J Washburn); V Diaz (3, E O'Flaherty); I Kinsler (7, S Green). SF - K Lofton , S Sosa , V Diaz. RBI - M Kata (6), V Diaz 2 (11), M Byrd (4), G Laird (20), S Sosa 2 (41), M Young (28), K Lofton (14). 2-out RBI - M Byrd, G Laird, V Diaz. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - M Byrd 1, M Kata 2, K Lofton 2, G Laird 2, V Diaz 2, I Kinsler 2. GIDP - M Teixeira. Team LOB - 17. FIELDING: E - M Young (8, throw); R Vazquez (2, ground ball). Outfield assists - K Lofton (K Johjima at 1st base). DP: 2 (M Young-I Kinsler-M Kata, K Lofton-M Young-M Kata). SEATTLE ab r h rbi bb so lob avg I Suzuki cf 5 3 2 1 0 0 1 .338 J Vidro dh 4 1 1 0 1 0 0 .297 J Ellison pr 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .211 J Guillen rf 1 1 1 3 0 0 0 .264 a-B Broussard ph-rf 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 .291 R Ibanez lf 5 0 1 2 0 1 2 .280 R Sexson 1b 5 1 3 2 0 1 1 .208 K Johjima c 4 0 1 0 0 0 2 .314 A Beltre 3b 4 1 0 0 0 1 3 .274 W Bloomquist 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .167 Y Betancourt ss 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 .291 J Lopez 2b 4 1 2 0 0 0 3 .280 Totals 38 8 12 8 1 4 13 a-flied out to right for J Guillen in the 6th. BATTING: 2B - J Vidro (6, K Millwood). HR - R Sexson (8, 7th inning off J Benoit 0 on, 1 Out). SF - J Guillen. RBI - J Guillen 3 (32), R Ibanez 2 (31), R Sexson 2 (34), I Suzuki (25). 2-out RBI - R Ibanez 2, R Sexson, J Guillen 2. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - K Johjima 1. GIDP - J Lopez. Team LOB - 6. BASERUNNING: SB - I Suzuki (15, 2nd base off K Millwood/G Laird). FIELDING: E - J Lopez (2, ground ball). DP: 1 (J Lopez). ---------------------------------------------------- TEXAS - 013 120 110 -- 9 SEATTLE - 103 300 100 -- 8 ---------------------------------------------------- TEXAS ip h r er bb so hr era K Millwood 5 10 7 4 0 2 0 6.69 W Littleton 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.86 C Wilson (H, 2) 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.95 J Benoit (W, 2-1; B, 2) 2/3 2 1 1 0 0 1 3.67 A Otsuka (H, 3) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2.61 E Gagne (S, 4) 1 0 0 0 1 2 0 0.75 SEATTLE ip h r er bb so hr era J Washburn 3 2/3 9 5 4 4 0 0 3.57 S White 1 1/3 2 2 2 3 0 0 7.03 E O'Flaherty 1 2/3 2 1 1 0 1 0 2.65 S Green (L, 0-1) 1/3 2 1 1 0 0 0 3.75 G Sherrill 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 1.56 J Davis 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 3.98 S White pitched to 2 batters in the 6th. S Green pitched to 2 batters in the 8th. G Sherrill pitched to 1 batter in the 9th. WP - S White. BALK - S White. HBP - J Guillen (by K Millwood); M Kata (by S White). Pitches-strikes: K Millwood 84-57; W Littleton 9-5; C Wilson 1-1; J Benoit 7-5; A Otsuka 14-7; E Gagne 21-13; J Washburn 84-48; S White 45-21; E O'Flaherty 26-18; S Green 9-7; G Sherrill 11-7; J Davis 29-16. Ground balls-fly balls: K Millwood 9-4; W Littleton 1-2; C Wilson 0-1; J Benoit 0-1; A Otsuka 2-1; E Gagne 1-0; J Washburn 7-5; S White 4-0; E O'Flaherty 2-2; S Green 1-0; G Sherrill 0-2; J Davis 1-2. Batters faced: K Millwood 27; W Littleton 3; C Wilson 1; J Benoit 3; A Otsuka 3; E Gagne 4; J Washburn 24; S White 10; E O'Flaherty 7; S Green 3; G Sherrill 4; J Davis 5. UMPIRES: HP--Gerry Davis. 1B--Mike Everitt. 2B--Paul Nauert. 3B--Brian Gorman. T--3:38. Att--34,570. Weather: 76 degrees, clear. Wind: 3 mph, left to right.</div>
AL: TEXAS at SEATTLE <div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TEXAS (9) AT SEATTLE (8) - HOW THEY SCORED ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SEATTLE 1ST: I Suzuki reached on infield single to shortstop. I Suzuki stole second. J Vidro grounded out to shortstop, I Suzuki to third. J Guillen hit sacrifice fly to left, I Suzuki scored. R Ibanez flied out to left. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TEXAS 0, SEATTLE 1. TEXAS 2ND: V Diaz singled to left. M Byrd doubled to deep right, V Diaz to third. I Kinsler walked. G Laird fouled out to first. M Kata grounded into fielder's choice to third, V Diaz scored, M Byrd out at third, I Kinsler to second. K Lofton grounded out to third. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 1, SEATTLE 1. TEXAS 3RD: M Young singled to center. M Teixeira doubled to deep left, M Young to third. S Sosa grounded out to pitcher. V Diaz hit sacrifice fly to right, M Young scored. M Byrd singled to center, M Teixeira scored, M Byrd to second advancing on throw. I Kinsler walked. G Laird singled to center, M Byrd scored, I Kinsler to third, G Laird to second advancing on throw. M Kata fouled out to catcher. (3 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 4, SEATTLE 1. SEATTLE 3RD: R Vazquez at third base. M Kata at first base. Y Betancourt grounded out to shortstop. J Lopez singled to left. I Suzuki grounded into fielder's choice to second, J Lopez out at second. J Vidro doubled to left, I Suzuki to third. J Guillen hit by pitch. R Ibanez singled to right, I Suzuki and J Vidro scored, J Guillen to third. R Sexson singled to center, J Guillen scored, R Ibanez to third. K Johjima flied out to right. (3 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 4, SEATTLE 4. TEXAS 4TH: K Lofton grounded out to pitcher. M Young doubled to deep right center. R Vazquez safe at first on error by second baseman J Lopez, M Young to third. S Sosa hit sacrifice fly to center, M Young scored. V Diaz singled to left, R Vazquez to second. M Byrd walked, R Vazquez to third, V Diaz to second. S White relieved J Washburn. I Kinsler grounded out to third. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 1 Error) TEXAS 5, SEATTLE 4. SEATTLE 4TH: A Beltre safe at first on throwing error by shortstop M Young. Y Betancourt grounded out to shortstop, A Beltre to second. J Lopez singled to left, A Beltre to third. I Suzuki singled to center, A Beltre scored, J Lopez to second. J Vidro grounded out to second, J Lopez to third, I Suzuki to second. J Guillen singled to left, J Lopez and I Suzuki scored. R Ibanez struck out swinging. (3 Runs, 3 Hits, 1 Error) TEXAS 5, SEATTLE 7. TEXAS 5TH: G Laird walked. G Laird to second on balk by S White. M Kata hit by pitch. K Lofton reached on bunt single to pitcher, G Laird to third, M Kata to second. M Young grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, G Laird scored, K Lofton out at second, M Kata to third. M Young to second on wild pitch by S White. R Vazquez walked. S Sosa grounded out to shortstop, M Kata scored, M Young to third, R Vazquez to second. V Diaz grounded out to third. (2 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TEXAS 7, SEATTLE 7. TEXAS 7TH: B Broussard in right field. M Young grounded out to pitcher. R Vazquez struck out swinging. S Sosa singled to right. V Diaz doubled to deep right, S Sosa scored. S Green relieved E O'Flaherty. M Byrd grounded out to pitcher. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 8, SEATTLE 7. SEATTLE 7TH: C Wilson relieved W Littleton. R Ibanez flied out to left. J Benoit relieved C Wilson. R Sexson homered to left. K Johjima singled to center. A Beltre flied into double play, center to shortstop to first, K Johjima doubled off first.(1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 8, SEATTLE 8. TEXAS 8TH: I Kinsler doubled to left. G Laird reached on bunt single to pitcher, I Kinsler to third. G Sherrill relieved S Green. W Bloomquist at third base. M Kata struck out swinging. K Lofton hit sacrifice fly to left, I Kinsler scored. M Young flied out to left. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 9, SEATTLE 8.</div>
AL: TEXAS at SEATTLE <div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TEXAS (9) AT SEATTLE (8) - EVENT LOG ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Texas Starting Lineups -- K Lofton CF, M Young SS, M Teixeira 1B, S Sosa DH, V Diaz RF, M Byrd LF, I Kinsler 2B, G Laird C, M Kata 3B, K Millwood RHP. Seattle Starting Lineups -- I Suzuki CF, J Vidro DH, J Guillen RF, R Ibanez LF, R Sexson 1B, K Johjima C, A Beltre 3B, Y Betancourt SS, J Lopez 2B, J Washburn LHP. Umpires -- Gerry Davis (HP), Mike Everitt (1B), Paul Nauert (2B), Brian Gorman (3B). Gametime Weather: 76 degrees, Clear, wind left to right at 3 mph. TEXAS 1ST: K Lofton singled to left. M Young walked, K Lofton to second. M Teixeira grounded into double play, to second, M Young out at second, K Lofton out at third, M Teixeira to first. S Sosa flied out to right. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TEXAS 0, SEATTLE 0. SEATTLE 1ST: I Suzuki reached on infield single to shortstop. I Suzuki stole second. J Vidro grounded out to shortstop, I Suzuki to third. J Guillen hit sacrifice fly to left, I Suzuki scored. R Ibanez flied out to left. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TEXAS 0, SEATTLE 1. TEXAS 2ND: V Diaz singled to left. M Byrd doubled to deep right, V Diaz to third. I Kinsler walked. G Laird fouled out to first. M Kata grounded into fielder's choice to third, V Diaz scored, M Byrd out at third, I Kinsler to second. K Lofton grounded out to third. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 1, SEATTLE 1. SEATTLE 2ND: R Sexson flied out to center. K Johjima grounded out to second. A Beltre grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 1, SEATTLE 1. TEXAS 3RD: M Young singled to center. M Teixeira doubled to deep left, M Young to third. S Sosa grounded out to pitcher. V Diaz hit sacrifice fly to right, M Young scored. M Byrd singled to center, M Teixeira scored, M Byrd to second advancing on throw. I Kinsler walked. G Laird singled to center, M Byrd scored, I Kinsler to third, G Laird to second advancing on throw. M Kata fouled out to catcher. (3 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 4, SEATTLE 1. SEATTLE 3RD: R Vazquez at third base. M Kata at first base. Y Betancourt grounded out to shortstop. J Lopez singled to left. I Suzuki grounded into fielder's choice to second, J Lopez out at second. J Vidro doubled to left, I Suzuki to third. J Guillen hit by pitch. R Ibanez singled to right, I Suzuki and J Vidro scored, J Guillen to third. R Sexson singled to center, J Guillen scored, R Ibanez to third. K Johjima flied out to right. (3 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 4, SEATTLE 4. TEXAS 4TH: K Lofton grounded out to pitcher. M Young doubled to deep right center. R Vazquez safe at first on error by second baseman J Lopez, M Young to third. S Sosa hit sacrifice fly to center, M Young scored. V Diaz singled to left, R Vazquez to second. M Byrd walked, R Vazquez to third, V Diaz to second. S White relieved J Washburn. I Kinsler grounded out to third. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 1 Error) TEXAS 5, SEATTLE 4. SEATTLE 4TH: A Beltre safe at first on throwing error by shortstop M Young. Y Betancourt grounded out to shortstop, A Beltre to second. J Lopez singled to left, A Beltre to third. I Suzuki singled to center, A Beltre scored, J Lopez to second. J Vidro grounded out to second, J Lopez to third, I Suzuki to second. J Guillen singled to left, J Lopez and I Suzuki scored. R Ibanez struck out swinging. (3 Runs, 3 Hits, 1 Error) TEXAS 5, SEATTLE 7. TEXAS 5TH: G Laird walked. G Laird to second on balk by S White. M Kata hit by pitch. K Lofton reached on bunt single to pitcher, G Laird to third, M Kata to second. M Young grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, G Laird scored, K Lofton out at second, M Kata to third. M Young to second on wild pitch by S White. R Vazquez walked. S Sosa grounded out to shortstop, M Kata scored, M Young to third, R Vazquez to second. V Diaz grounded out to third. (2 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TEXAS 7, SEATTLE 7. SEATTLE 5TH: R Sexson singled to center. K Johjima safe at first on error by third baseman R Vazquez, R Sexson to second. A Beltre struck out swinging. Y Betancourt singled to left, R Sexson to third, K Johjima to second. J Lopez grounded into double play, shortstop to second to first, Y Betancourt out at second.(0 Runs, 2 Hits, 1 Error) TEXAS 7, SEATTLE 7. TEXAS 6TH: M Byrd singled to left. I Kinsler walked, M Byrd to second. E O'Flaherty relieved S White. G Laird flied out to center. M Kata grounded into fielder's choice to third, I Kinsler out at second, M Byrd to third. K Lofton lined out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TEXAS 7, SEATTLE 7. SEATTLE 6TH: W Littleton relieved K Millwood. I Suzuki flied out to left. J Vidro grounded out to second. B Broussard hit for J Guillen. B Broussard flied out to right. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 7, SEATTLE 7. TEXAS 7TH: B Broussard in right field. M Young grounded out to pitcher. R Vazquez struck out swinging. S Sosa singled to right. V Diaz doubled to deep right, S Sosa scored. S Green relieved E O'Flaherty. M Byrd grounded out to pitcher. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 8, SEATTLE 7. SEATTLE 7TH: C Wilson relieved W Littleton. R Ibanez flied out to left. J Benoit relieved C Wilson. R Sexson homered to left. K Johjima singled to center. A Beltre flied into double play, center to shortstop to first, K Johjima doubled off first.(1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 8, SEATTLE 8. TEXAS 8TH: I Kinsler doubled to left. G Laird reached on bunt single to pitcher, I Kinsler to third. G Sherrill relieved S Green. W Bloomquist at third base. M Kata struck out swinging. K Lofton hit sacrifice fly to left, I Kinsler scored. M Young flied out to left. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 9, SEATTLE 8. SEATTLE 8TH: A Otsuka relieved J Benoit. Y Betancourt grounded out to third. J Lopez grounded out to second. I Suzuki flied out to right. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 9, SEATTLE 8. TEXAS 9TH: R Vazquez singled to right. J Davis relieved G Sherrill. S Sosa walked, R Vazquez to second. V Diaz flied out to center, R Vazquez to third. M Byrd walked, S Sosa to second. I Kinsler grounded into fielder's choice to second, R Vazquez out at home, S Sosa to third, M Byrd to second. G Laird flied out to right. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TEXAS 9, SEATTLE 8. SEATTLE 9TH: N Cruz in left field. M Byrd in center field. E Gagne relieved A Otsuka. J Vidro walked. J Ellison ran for J Vidro. B Broussard struck out looking. R Ibanez grounded into fielder's choice to second, J Ellison out at second. R Sexson struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 9, SEATTLE 8.</div>
Lofton's all-around effort propels Rangers past Mariners <h3>TEXAS 9, SEATTLE 8</h3>SEATTLE (Ticker) -- Kenny Lofton has long been known as one ofthe game's best leadoff hitters. But even after turning 40 onThursday, he likes to show he can do a few other things. Lofton made one of the best catches of the season to deny AdrianBeltre a two-run homer and came back in his next at-bat toplate the go-ahead run as the Texas Rangers posted a wild 9-8victory over the Seattle Mariners. After Richie Sexson homered in the bottom of the seventh to tiethe game, 8-8, and Kenji Johjima singled to put the go-ahead runon, Beltre drove the first pitch he saw from reliever JoaquinBenoit (2-1) deep to left center. However, he was robbed by Lofton in center field, who climbedthe fence and perfectly timed his jump to take a sure homer -and two-run lead - away from Beltre and the Mariners. The center fielder alertly fired the ball back into the infieldto double up Johjima, who had ran well past second base on theplay. Lofton came back in the top of the eighth and launched a flyball deep enough to left to score Ian Kinsler, who doubled toopen the frame and moved to third following Gerald Laird's buntsingle. The leadoff hitter's sacrifice fly gave Texas itsfourth and final lead of the contest. Marlon Byrd and Victor Diaz each had three hits apiece for theRangers, who won the game despite tying a club record by leaving17 runners on base. The victory comes as a breath of fresh airfor Texas, which won their first game in June after losing afranchise-worst 20 games in May. Benoit, who entered with an 8-7 advantage and surrenderedSexson's homer, picked up the win as a result of Lofton'ssacrifice fly. Akinori Otsuka bridged the gap to the sixthRangers pitcher of the contest, closer Eric Gagne, who workedaround a walk in the ninth to notch his fourth save in as manychances. Sean Green (0-1) allowed two hits and was charged with the finalrun to take the loss. Ichiro Suzuki extended his hitting streakto 25 games, breaking the club record set by Joey Cora in 1997.It is his sixth 20-plus game streak in his seven-year majorleague career. During the streak, he has recorded 17multiple-hit games. Rangers first baseman Mark Teixeira left the game following thetop of the third after getting hit under his left eye by a ballthrown from Ichiro on a play at the plate. He was diagnosedwith a mild concussion and is listed as day-to-day. Beltre was replaced by Willie Bloomquist in the top of theeighth and left the contest with a sprained left thumb divingfor a hard grounder from Kinsler that skipped by the thirdbaseman to open the top of the eighth.
Lofton's all-around effort propels Rangers past Mariners <h3>TEXAS 9, SEATTLE 8</h3>SEATTLE (Ticker) -- Kenny Lofton has long been known as one ofthe game's best leadoff hitters. But even after turning 40 onThursday, he likes to show he can do a few other things. Lofton made one of the best catches of the season to deny AdrianBeltre a two-run homer and came back in his next at-bat toplate the go-ahead run as the Texas Rangers posted a wild 9-8victory over the Seattle Mariners. After Richie Sexson homered in the bottom of the seventh to tiethe game, 8-8, and Kenji Johjima singled to put the go-ahead runon, Beltre drove the first pitch he saw from reliever JoaquinBenoit (2-1) deep to left center. However, he was robbed by Lofton in center field, who climbedthe fence and perfectly timed his jump to take a sure homer -and two-run lead - away from Beltre and the Mariners. "I saw it all the way, but you never know," Lofton said."You've just got to go and try." The center fielder alertly fired the ball back into the infieldto double up Johjima, who had ran well past second base on theplay. "That was a game-changing play right there," Rangers manager RonWashington said. "If he doesn't get that ball, that's tworuns. That saved the game for us." Lofton came back in the top of the eighth and launched a flyball deep enough to left to score Ian Kinsler, who doubled toopen the frame and moved to third following Gerald Laird's buntsingle. The leadoff hitter's sacrifice fly gave Texas itsfourth and final lead of the contest. "Each team kept fighting and kept fighting and kept fighting,"Washington said. "It was a wild one but I'm so happy we cameout on the good end of it." Marlon Byrd and Victor Diaz each had three hits apiece for theRangers, who won the game despite tying a club record by leaving17 runners on base. The victory comes as a breath of fresh airfor Texas, which won their first game in June after losing afranchise-worst 20 games in May. Benoit, who entered with an 8-7 advantage and surrenderedSexson's homer, picked up the win as a result of Lofton'ssacrifice fly. Akinori Otsuka bridged the gap to the sixthRangers pitcher of the contest, closer Eric Gagne, who workedaround a walk in the ninth to notch his fourth save in as manychances. Sean Green (0-1) allowed two hits and was charged with the finalrun to take the loss. Ichiro Suzuki extended his hittingstreak to 25 games, breaking the club record set by Joey Cora in1997. It is his sixth 20-plus game streak in his seven-yearmajor league career. During the streak, he has recorded 17multiple-hit games. "He's (Ichiro) kind of like (Ken) Griffey," said Marinersinterim manager John McLaren, who is filling in for MikeHargrove while he attends his daughter's high school graduationin Cleveland. "Every night is an adventure. I think everybody<div class="pre">is amazed at what he does. What can you say? He's a great</div>player." Rangers first baseman Mark Teixeira left the game following thetop of the third after getting hit under his left eye by a ballthrown from Ichiro on a play at the plate. He was diagnosedwith a mild concussion and is listed as day-to-day. Beltre was replaced by Willie Bloomquist in the top of theeighth and left the contest with a sprained left thumb divingfor a hard grounder from Kinsler that skipped by the thirdbaseman to open the top of the eighth. He is listed asday-to-day.
