Two weeks ago, the race in the American League West was extremely tight and one of the best in baseball. The Seattle Mariners were a .500 baseball team, easily within striking distance of the Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Angels. Now, they're an incredible 11.5 games back of first place, thanks to a nine game losing streak and an 11 game winning streak by the Rangers, who now sit high atop the AL West after capping off a four-game sweep of the Mariners with a 3-1 win on Sunday night.
Mariners starter Blake Beavan gave up just six hits in six-plus strong innings, but Rangers first baseman Mitch Moreland's three-run home run in the second inning would be all of the offense that the Rangers needed. Rangers starter Matt Harrison put together a very strong outing, allowing five hits and one earned run while walking just one batter in a good outing of seven-plus innings.
The Rangers begin a three-game road series against their division rivals, the Los Angeles Angels, on Tuesday. The Angels currently trail the Rangers in the division by four games.
