Mon Oct 1 03:27:18 2007

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Hernandez, Mariners close out with win over Rangers

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Seattle, WA (Sports Network) - Jamie Burke and Jose Lopez each hit solo home runs to lead the Seattle Mariners past the Texas Rangers, 4-2, in the final game of the season for both clubs.

Felix Hernandez (14-7) pitched 8 2/3 strong innings, allowing two runs -- one earned -- on four hits with eight strikeouts for the Mariners, who wrapped up their season with a record of 88-74. J.J. Putz recorded the final out of the game to notch his 40th save.

David Murphy had an RBI double for the Rangers, who ended their season with a disappointing 75-87 record.

A.J. Murray (1-2) absorbed the loss after giving up four runs on five hits in six innings.

Texas took an early after Murphy doubled to right-center, scoring Ian Kinsler in the first inning.

Seattle jumped in front at 2-1 in the second after Burke hit a solo home run, and later in the frame Ichiro Suzuki executed a bunt, and on the play, Jarrod Saltalmacchia's throwing error to first allowed Willie Bloomquist to score.

The Mariners went up two runs in the fifth as Burke's squeeze bunt to first scored Adam Jones.

Texas made it 3-2 in the fifth inning after Ramon Vazquez grounded out to first scoring Saltalamacchia.

A solo shot by Lopez in the seventh gave Seattle its two-run lead back.

Game Notes

Seattle had just five hits, while Texas finished with four...The Rangers went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position...Time of the game was 1:57, while attendance was 30,442.