Arlington, TX (Sports Network) - Justin Smoak's leadoff homer in the eighth
inning proved to be the difference, as the Seattle Mariners overcame blowing a
six-run lead to post an 8-6 win over the Texas Rangers on Saturday.
The Rangers had scored a combined five runs over the previous two innings
before Smoak launched Tanner Scheppers' (1-1) second pitch over the center-
field wall.
Scheppers succeeded Martin Perez, who walked one and struck out five in 4 1/3
hitless innings in relief of ineffective starter Scott Feldman.
Smoak's blast made a winner out of Lucas Luetge (2-1), who gave up the tying
run on a David Murphy groundout in the seventh but got rookie Jurickson Profar
to ground into a fielder's choice with the bases loaded to end the inning.
The Mariners tacked on an insurance run in the ninth as pinch-runner Munenori
Kawasaki scored on a base hit by Smoak.
Tom Wilhelmsen recorded the final four outs to earn his 27th save of the
season.
The Sports Network