Statement In Seattle! Mariners Sweep Texas Rangers, Take Commanding AL West Lead

The Texas Rangers were shutout for the fifth time and held to a season-low two baserunners in a 5-0 series-sweeping Seattle Mariners win on Sunday.

Jun 16, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners players celebrate a 5-0 victory against the Texas Rangers at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports / Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Each time you think the Texas Rangers have it their low point of 2024, they seem to find a deeper hole.

The Seattle Mariners completed a three-game sweep with a dominating 5-0 win Sunday afternoon, increasing their American League West lead on the Rangers to 8.5 games.

Logan Gilbert held Texas to two hits and no walks and struck out nine over eight innings. The Rangers were held to a season-low two baserunners — Andrew Knizner's two-out single in the third and Nathaniel Lowe's two-out double in the fourth. That was it.

It's the fifth time the Rangers have been shut out in 2024 and the third time they've been swept. The Mariners have won five of the first six games between the teams, with seven remaining.

⚡ ELECTRIC ⚡ pic.twitter.com/rxksljvGN2

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) June 16, 2024

Three thoughts from Sunday's game:

1. AL West Standings Situation

Jun 16, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners third baseman Josh Rojas (4) reacts after scoring a run on a wild pitch against the Texas Rangers during the fifth inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports / Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

The Mariners increased their AL West lead to an MLB-high 8.5 games. That's Seattle's largest division lead since 2001. The Houston Astros are only a half-game back of the Rangers, who are a season-low five games below .500.

"You have to find a way to put some runs on the board and we just couldn't do it."

Bruce Bochy addresses the media after today's loss vs. the Mariners
@Rangers | #StraightUpTX | @BallySports 📺 pic.twitter.com/gMC3B48Fv7

— Bally Sports Southwest (@BallySportsSW) June 16, 2024

2. Dunning Decent, Bullpen Falters

Jun 16, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Dane Dunning (33) receives a mound visit from pitching coach Mike Maddux (31) and catcher Andrew Knizner (12) during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports / Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Again, Dane Dunning was decent in 4 2/3 innings. He allowed two runs on four hits and three walks with eight strikeouts, including five consecutive strikeouts between the second and third innings. Dunning has allowed 11 runs on 12 hits and seven walks in his past three appearances.
Jacob Latz pitched 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief, but Jose Leclerc allowed a seventh-inning homer to Tyler Locklear, and Cole Winn called up before the game, allowed two runs in the eighth after a two-out hit-by-pitch, a walk, an RBI single, and a run-scoring wild pitch. The Mariners twice scored on wild pitches.

LOCKLEAR.

LAUNCHED. pic.twitter.com/iPAldE5mwz

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) June 16, 2024

3. Up Next

May 21, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher Jon Gray (22) throws a pitch during the second inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports / Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The Rangers open a three-game series with the New York Mets at 7:10 p.m. Monday. Right-hander on Gray (2-2, 2.17) faces Mets left-hander David Peterson (2-0, 4.32).

You can follow Stefan Stevenson on X @StefanVersusTex.

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