Mariners prevail in 1-run game, beating Rangers “Lucky loser” nets win after 10-hour drive with grandma

SEATTLE—Marco Gonzales pitched into the seventh inning and did not allow an earned run for a third consecutive start, helping the Seattle Mariners top the Texas Rangers 2-1 on Monday.

Seattle won for the ninth time in 10 games and reached 13 games above .500 for the first time since late in the 2014 season. And it was once again a one-run win. The Mariners have been held to three runs or less in seven of the past eight games, but are 7-1 in those games thanks largely to their pitching.

Seattle has 16 one-run wins, best in the majors.

Gonzales (5-3) lasted 6 2/3 innings and has not allowed an earned run since May 12 when he gave up four runs in a loss to Detroit. His only issue against Texas was walks. Gonzales walked four, including Ryan Rua with two outs in the seventh inning to conclude his day.

James Pazos got the final out of the seventh, before letting the duo of Alex Colome and Edwin Diaz work together for the first time. Colome, an All-Star closer acquired from Tampa Bay late last week, struck out a pair sandwiched around a two-out hit to finish the eighth inning, and Diaz pitched for his 19th save.

The only run for Texas came in the third inning when Rougned Odor reached on a bunt single and eventually scored on a passed ball.

Texas starter Doug Fister (1-5) cruised through the first five innings, the only hit allowed a single by Andrew Romine in the third. It was a defensive miscue that created the opportunity for

the

ninth Seattle to take the lead.

With one out in the sixth, Denard Span hit a grounder to second base that should have ended the inning. Odor briefly bobbled the grounder and the Rangers were unable to turn the double play. Mitch Haniger’s base hit barely eluded the diving attempt of shortstop Jurickson Profar, and Nelson Cruz and Kyle Seager followed with linedrive RBI singles.