Vasquez gave up five runs and seven hits, including three home runs, over only 3 innings in the Mariners’ 5-3 loss Friday night against the AL West-leading Rangers.
For the lefty from San Antonio, being back in Texas wasn’t that a big of a deal.
“It was the same as any other. It’s not like I had 100 people here rooting me on. You’ve got to focus on keeping your team in the ballgame,” Vasquez said. “I felt good; it’s a matter of executing pitches. That’s where I got myself in trouble.”
Vasquez (1-5) had a similar pitching line in his previous start, in Seattle last Saturday against the Rangers.
“I thought his breaking ball was pretty good, but same thing we’ve been talking about with him – fastball command. Without that, it’s hard to utilize your changeup,” manager Eric Wedge said. “He has to command the ball. That’s what he’s done in the minors. We’ve seen small stretches up here, but we haven’t seen him do it consistently up here. That’s what he has to work on.”
Only two of the Texas home runs went over the fence – long drives by Adrian Beltre and Josh Hamilton.
With one out in the fourth, Craig Gentry hit a liner to left-center that went to the wall after splitting the gap between two outfielders. Left fielder Mike Carp and center fielder Trayvon Robinson both made diving attempts for the catch, Robinson a few feet behind Carp.
The speedy Gentry initially wasn’t even running full speed, and made a stutter-step rounding first base before realizing the ball was rolling to the wall. He then took off and scored standing up for his first career homer and the first inside-the-park homer for the Rangers since Nelson Cruz at Oakland on Sept. 4, 2006.
“We did exactly what we were supposed to do, which is attack the ball. We both felt we could get it,” Robinson said.
That made it 5-0 and chased Vasquez. Rangers starter Matt Harrison (14-9) retired 15 of the first 16 batters he faced until four consecutive Mariners reached to start the sixth. Ichiro Suzuki had an RBI single before Robinson walked to load the bases. Dustin Ackley and Miguel Olivo followed with consecutive sacrifice fly balls.
It was the team-leading 61st RBI for Olivio, who also leads the Mariners with 18 homers. No catcher has ever led Seattle in homers or RBIs.
Harrison allowed three runs over six innings, giving up three singles and walking two. The left-hander is 4-0 in September.
NOTES
Seattle is 4-13 against the Rangers this season. … Mariners ace Felix Hernandez (14-13, 3.32 ERA) makes his last scheduled start of the season today. … Mariners SS Brendan Ryan (back/neck) and OF Casper Wells (sinus affecting equilibrium) are not with the team, and manager Wedge said they are doubtful to play again this season.
ON TAP
Seattle continues a three-game series against Texas at 1:11 p.m. today in a game that will be televised on Channel 13. Hernandez will start for the Mariners against Alexi Ogando (13-8, 3.58).
