Seattle, WA (SportsNetwork.com) - Nelson Cruz's fifth RBI of the day came on a walk-off single and gave the Seattle Mariners an 11-10 come-from-behind win over the Texas Rangers on Sunday.
The Mariners, who scored six runs over the final three innings, entered the ninth down 10-9. Neftali Feliz (0-1) gave up a single to Brad Miller and walked Seth Smith two batters later. Austin Jackson tied things up with an RBI single to right.
Rickie Weeks flied out to shallow center for the second out. After Robinson Cano was intentionally walked, Cruz singled to left to plate the winning run.
Cruz ended 3-for-6 with a pair of homers for the Mariners, who won the final two contests of this three-game series. Jackson added a solo homer and Kyle Seager went 3-for-5 with three RBI.
Seattle starter James Paxton allowed seven runs -- two earned -- on nine hits over 2 2/3 innings. Yoervis Medina (1-0) picked up the win after stranding runners on second and third in the ninth.
"This team is a very gritty bunch. They're built for this. They're tough. Character-wise they're tough," Seattle manager Lloyd McClendon said. "We have a nice mix of veterans and young players. This team is built for greatness. I don't know what's going to happen but I like where we are."
Jake Smolinski hit a two-run homer during a seven-run third for the Rangers, who blew a 10-5 lead. Shin-Soo Choo and Rougned Odor each had two RBI and a run scored.
Texas starter Ross Detwiler gave up five runs on seven hits over 2 1/3 innings.
Trailing 10-5, Seager started Seattle's comeback with an RBI single off Shawn Tolleson in the seventh.
Seattle scored three more runs in the eighth. Tanner Scheppers loaded the bases with one out before handing the ball over to Keone Kela, who walked Cano to force in a run. Feliz entered and gave up a two-run single to Seager before Dustin Ackley flied out to keep it 10-9.
"Tough situation to put him in," Rangers manager Jeff Bannister said about trying to get five outs with Feliz. "But at the time felt like we needed to shut down the rally that they had going."
Texas had a chance to add some insurance runs in the ninth. With two outs, Carlos Corporan walked and Leonys Martin doubled, but Elvis Andrus flied out to end the threat.
Jackson and Cruz hit solo homers in the first to make it 2-0 Seattle.
The Rangers exploded for seven runs in the third. Martin beat out a bunt single and Andrus reached first on Willie Bloomquist's throwing error. Prince Fielder followed with an RBI single to right.
Adrian Beltre singled to load the bases with no outs for Choo, who grounded out to plate a run. Fielder scored on Adam Rosales' single and Beltre crossed the plate when Odor grounded into a fielder's choice. Smolinski followed with a two-run homer to left-center field and Corporan hit a ground-rule double before scoring on Martin's single.
Cruz responded with a three-run homer in the bottom half of the third, his MLB-leading eighth of the season.
Texas tacked on three more runs in the sixth. Andrus doubled and Beltre was intentionally walked before Choo's RBI single. Carson Smith came in from the bullpen and immediately gave up an RBI single to pinch-hitter Mitch Moreland. Odor added an RBI groundout to make it 10-5.
Game Notes
The Mariners pounded out 17 hits ... Feliz got his first blown save of the season ... Texas is off on Monday before opening interleague play with a two- game series against Arizona ... The Mariners play three games against Houston starting Monday.
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