Thoughts on a 8-0 Rangers win

Rangers 8, Mariners 0

• That was a good, happy, fun game.  Texas kept the M's off the board, the bats scored a bunch of runs...that's what we want to see, right?
• Derek Holland, who had been the only starter in the first eight games not to register a Quality Start, had a sterling effort last night.  6.2 IP, 4 K's, 2 walks, 4 hits, no runs.  Never in trouble, Holland cruised last night, making it look easy.
• With a big lead and Holland at 95 pitches after 6, I thought Jeff Banister might go to the pen to wart the seventh, but Banister let Holland start the inning, pulling him for Andrew Faulkner with one on and two out in the inning,  Faulkner, who had a problematic outing on Monday that resulted in a quick hook, got out of the inning, setting the stage for Phil Klein to come in and finish the game with two perfect innings.
• Ryan Rua got the nod at first base and rewarded Banny for that decision, following up his three hit game the previous day with a two hit game last night.  Even with right Taijuan Walker going for Seattle this afternoon, I wouldn't be surprised to see Rua get another start today, as Banny looks to keep him in a groove.
• Also with big days at the plate were Elvis Andrus, who had a three hit game, Delino DeShields, who had a pair of hits, and Adrian Beltre, whose two hits included the always momentum-shifting two out, three run homer in the third that capped off a five run inning for Texas.
• Oh, and the win, together with an Oakland loss (and Oakland lost in particularly unpleasant fashion, with closer Sean Doolittle blowing the save by giving up a two run home run to Geovany Soto in the ninth, turning a one run lead into a one run deficit), put Texas in sole possession of first place in the West.
• Going for the sweep now behind A.J. Griffin this afternoon.  Holla.