Mariner’s Lose More Than Just a Game to Rangers

SEATTLE (AP) — A.J. Pierzynski homered, David Murphy snapped a 2-all tie with an RBI single in the fifth, and the Texas Rangers toppled Seattle ace Felix Hernandez in a 4-3 win over the Mariners on Thursday night. Pierzynski hit his second homer of the season with one-out in the second. The Rangers added an unearned run later in the second and scored twice in the fifth to deny Hernandez (1-2) a shot at his 100th career victory. Thursday night was Hernandez's first home start since he signed a $175 million extension in the offseason that will keep him in Seattle through the 2019 season. The occasion was celebrated with all 22,000-plus fans in attendance receiving giant yellow K-cards and a yellow T-shirt with "King Felix" printed on the front.

Meanwhile Mariners' slugger Michael Morse, currently tied for the major league lead with six homers, could be out up to a week after suffering a small fracture in the little finger of his right hand. Morse was hurt in the seventh inning of Seattle's 4-3 loss to Texas on Thursday night. Morse was hit on the hand by a pitch from Tanner Scheppers as he attempted to check his swing. After being examined by trainers, Morse finished the at-bat — during which he was hit by a pitch in the shoulder — before leaving the game. Seattle manager Eric Wedge said the fracture was non-displaced and Morse could miss between three and seven days. Morse said he hoped he could be back by Sunday.