34-22 - Rangers make emphatic statement, sweep Mariners

The Texas Rangers invoked a little Washball of old today as they swept the Seattle Mariners. Aggressive, smart baserunning, capitalizing on the other team's mistakes, and good old fashion timely hits helped the Rangers erase a 2-0 deficit in the 5th inning.

The 5th would ultimately be the only inning the Rangers were able to get to Seattle starter Hisashi Iwakuma and it all started with a Rougned Odor bunt single. The real big break came after a Mitch Moreland fielder's choice ground out when Elvis Andrus reached on a Luis Sardinas error. With two on, Jared Hoying singled to plate Moreland and move Elvis to third.

Elvis scored the tying run on a sac fly to shallow left field when Seattle's Stefen Romero lobbed the ball home thinking Elvis wasn't going to tag up. Elvis' deke proved costly for the Mariners with Hoying moving into scoring position on the throw. Jurickson Profar followed with a single to score Hoying as the go-ahead and eventual winning run.

Profar went 2 for 4 in today's game from the leadoff spot as the Rangers moved to 7-2 since Profar joined Texas to cover for Rougie's suspension. Thanks, Jose Bautista.

With the win, the Rangers are now a season high 12 games above .500. The Rangers lead the American League West by three games over Seattle. The Rangers lead the American League in overall winning percentage.

Player of the Game: Supposed rotation weak link Derek Holland pitched a season-high seven innings and allowed just two runs on a mistake pitch to Nelson Cruz. Nelson Cruz is going to do that.

Against Seattle, a team that came into today 4th in baseball in runs scored, Holland struck out six Mariners (all swinging) and allowed just three hits. Make that four straight quality starts for Holland now.

Up Next: The Rangers welcome the Astros to Arlington for a four-game series. Houston did its best to bury itself in April but has been hot over the last few weeks. RHP Mike Fiers starts in Monday's opener against Colby Lewis.