The Sports Xchange
Jun 16, 2017
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Right-hander Tyson Ross took a no-hitter into the fifth inning in his first start in 14 months in the Texas Rangers' 10-4 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Friday.
Ross, who hadn't pitched since Opening Day of 2016 for San Diego because of shoulder problems that ultimately led to off-season surgery, allowed a run without giving up a hit in the first after walking the game's first hitter.
After the walk, Ross retired the next nine hitters and 14 of the next 15.
His official line was 5 2/3 innings pitched, two hits, two runs, three walks and five strikeouts.
Ross, who signed with Texas as a free agent in January, received plenty of run support from an offense that accounted for 13 hits and combined to score seven runs in the third and fourth innings and three more in the sixth on Carlos Gomez's three-run home run to center off reliever Zac Curtis.
Gomez, who was activated from the disabled list before the game, went 2-for-5 with four RBIs. Jonathan Lucroy and Adrian Beltre each had two hits and two RBIs.
Robinson Chirinos led off the fourth with his eighth home run.
The strikeout-prone Rangers only whiffed six times, snapping a string of 11 consecutive games in June with eight or more.
The Rangers also finally figured out Seattle lefty James Paxton, who entered having logged three career outings of at least six scoreless innings against Texas, including in April, when he held the Rangers to two hits and one walk while striking out nine over eight innings.
Paxton (5-2) gave up seven runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out four over 3 2/3 innings.
While the Rangers' offense erupted, Ross and three relievers limited the Mariners to seven hits.
Mike Zunino had the Mariners' first hit, in the fifth, but Texas lefty Dario Alvarez left the catcher stranded. Nelson Cruz broke out of an 0-for-11 skid with an RBI single in the sixth, and Jarrod Dyson had a solo home run in the seventh off Jose Leclerc, who surrendered two runs in an inning pitched.
Texas combined to score seven in the third and fourth innings. The Rangers sent nine to the plate in the third, scoring five runs on four hits and two walks.
Andrus drove in the first run with a double and Beltre followed with a two-run double. After Carlos Gomez struck out for the second out, Lucroy drove in two with a base hit.
Paxton stayed in to face four more hitters in the fourth and was touched for two more runs.
Chirinos led off the inning with a home run and Delino DeShields followed with a base hit. DeShields stole second and scored on Gomez's double to left.
Paxton labored, finishing with 91 pitches in 3 2/3 innings, including 40 in the third inning.
NOTES: The Rangers made several roster moves before the game, starting with designating RHP Dillon Gee for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for Ross. Texas also activated 1B Mike Napoli and OF Carlos Gomez from the DL, and recalled LHP Dario Alvarez from Triple-A Round Rock. To make room, Texas put RHP Tony Barnette on the 10-day DL (sprained right ring finger) and optioned INF/OF Jurickson Profar and INF/OF Ryan Rua to Round Rock. ... Texas LHP Cole Hamels (oblique strain) gave up one hit over three innings and 35 pitches in an injury rehabilitation start on Friday for Double-A Frisco. He threw 22 more pitches afterward in the bullpen. ... Seattle recalled LHP Zac Curtis from Double-A Arkansas and optioned RHP Chase De Jong to Triple-A Tacoma. ... Seattle RHP Felix Hernandez (shoulder) will make his third rehabilitation start on Saturday with Tacoma. He's expected to throw 80-85 pitches. ... Mariners RHP Hisashi Iwakuma (shoulder) will make his second injury rehab start on Monday with Tacoma. ... Rangers INF Hanser Alberto, out with soreness in his right shoulder, is expected to undergo surgery Monday.