As the Mariners' scoring drought reached 22 innings without a run, a pitching staff that has been solid this season knows it can't succumb to the urge to do too much.
Knowing that allowing one run might beat a pitcher, the tendency is to nibble around the strike zone, lefty Jarrod Washburn said. "It's definitely something you can get caught up with," he said. "This is without question the best pitching staff I've ever been a part of. But when you take the hill and you know that the team's struggling, you have a tendency at times to try to do too much, try to be too fine."
The Mariners are on pace to score 635 runs this season, which would be the seventh fewest in franchise history. Washburn said the pitchers can't let it affect how they approach hitters.
"You try not to let it creep into your mind and affect your thoughts on the mound and your game plan," Washburn said. "You just try your best to block it out and pitch your normal game."
RANGERS 5, MARINERS 0: The Mariners' frustration boiled over in their second consecutive shutout defeat. First baseman Richie Sexson charged the mound after a fourth-inning pitch from Rangers lefty Kason Gabbard was high but over the plate.
Mariners right-hander Felix Hernandez, who had hit two Rangers hitters, allowed a two-run homer to second baseman Ian Kinsler in the second inning. The Mariners finished with four hits, giving them six in their past two games, and they have scored one run in the past 31 innings.
