Seattle Mariners

Mariners beat Rangers 13-0, await final word on elimination

Published Sep. 23, 2018 12:48 a.m. ET

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - Robinson Cano broke a scoreless tie with a three-run homer in the fifth inning, Marco Gonzales allowed one hit over six innings and the Seattle Mariners routed the Texas Rangers 13-0 on Saturday night.

The victory at least temporarily kept the Mariners from being eliminated in the AL wild-card race and officially extending the longest playoff drought in the four major pro sports to 17 years.

Seattle, which was in contention well into August, inherited that distinction last December when Buffalo made the NFL playoffs. Oakland, playing later Saturday, had a chance to eliminate the Mariners with a win over Minnesota.

Gonzales (13-9) faced one batter over the minimum while allowing his fewest hits in 42 career starts for his first win since July 29. The left-hander walked one and got a double play grounder from Jurickson Profar right after allowing a single to Delino DeShields.

Mike Zunino connected for his 20th homer , a solo shot in the sixth as the Mariners topped their previous season high of 12 runs. Cano, who added an RBI double and had three hits, has nine homers - five since returning from an 80-game drug suspension Aug. 14.

Dee Gordon connected for his third homer, a two-run shot in the eighth off Bartolo Colon in the 45-year-old's fourth relief appearance to go with 24 starts. Mitch Haniger extended his hitting streak to 11 games with three hits and scored three runs.

Mike Minor (12-8) allowed six hits and three runs in 4 2/3 innings with three walks and four strikeouts for the last-place Rangers, who matched their largest losing margin in their 11th loss in 15 games.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Mariners: LHP James Paxton, who is battling pneumonia and flu, threw a bullpen session. Manager Scott Servais said Paxton is hoping to start Monday at home against Oakland. The Mariners finish the season with seven games in Seattle.

UP NEXT

Mariners LHP Wade LeBlanc (8-4, 3.49 ERA) opposes fellow lefty Martin Perez (2-6, 6.33) in the Rangers' home finale. LeBlanc is 38-39 in his 10-year career. Perez is making his first start since getting demoted to the bullpen Aug. 29. He had a 2.45 ERA in six relief appearances after the move. Perez's last three outings were scoreless.