ARLINGTON, Texas — Less than three weeks into the season, the Seattle Mariners’ starting rotation is pretty banged up.
“We’ve been dealt a tough hand. There’s no question about it,” manager Lloyd McClendon said after Thursday’s 8-6 loss to the Texas Rangers, which extended Seattle’s losing streak to three.
After falling behind by four runs early, the Mariners used a six-run third to spurt ahead only to give back the lead.
“The series was tough for us,” McClendon said. “I like the resiliency of this club. We really battled back, and we never really gave up.”
Mariners starter Erasmo Ramirez allowed five runs and six hits in two-plus innings. He hasn’t made it past the fifth in his last three starts, allowing 13 earned runs and 18 hits in 11 innings during that span.
“I didn’t execute the pitches,” Ramirez said, “and maybe that was the point of this game today. I know I’m better than that.”
Seattle pitcher Blake Beavan was placed on the disabled list after leaving Tuesday night’s start in the fourth inning with tendinitis in his right shoulder. James Paxton was put on the DL last week with a muscle strain. Hisashi Iwakuma, a 14-game winner last season, has been sidelined since the start of the season with a torn extensor tendon in his right middle finger.
The Mariners’ top pitching prospect, Taijuan Walker at Triple-A Tacoma, was told Wednesday not to throw for two weeks because of right-shoulder impingement.
Robinson Cano hit his first homer for the Mariners, going back-to-back with Corey Hart. While Cano is in a 3-for-18 slump, Hart reached base four times with a double and two walks in addition to his team-leading fourth homer. He played right field for his first outfield appearance since July 2012.
“It’s tough to score six and get the hits we had and not get the win,” Hart said. “We’re trying to fight through some adversity early, but we all believe we’re a good ballclub.”
Kevin Kouzmanoff doubled twice and scored two runs for Texas. Brought up from the minor leagues on April 9, the 32-year-old is batting .414 and has hit in all eight games since his callup. He spent all of 2012 and 2013 in the minors.
“You never know what can happen in baseball,” he said. “Here I am. It’s great to be back.”
Shin-Soo Choo homered for Texas and J.P. Arencibia had a pair of RBI groundouts.
Texas broke a 6 all in the fifth inning when Arencibia drove in a run with a grounder and Mitch Moreland scored on a wild pitch by Joe Beimel (0-1).
Pedro Figueroa (2-1) was the second of five Texas relievers who held Seattle scoreless and earned his second victory in less than 24 hours.
Tanner Scheppers, in his first season as a big league starter, made the shortest of his four appearances and couldn’t hold a 4-0 lead he was given before he threw a pitch. He allowed six runs, six hits and three walks in 2 1-3 innings, leaving him with a 9.82 ERA.
NOTES: McClendon said he hasn’t decided who will start Sunday’s series finale against the Marlins. … Rangers LHP Matt Harrison, on the DL with back stiffness following two operations last year, is scheduled to make an injury rehabilitation start on Saturday for Double-A Frisco.
