(My Sportsbook) - Hard-throwing phenom Felix Hernandez can reach double- digit wins for the third straight season this afternoon when the
Seattle Mariners close out a three-game series with the host
Texas Rangers at Rangers Park.
Hernandez, who reached the majors and made 12 starts as a 19-year-old in 2005, has since strung together 12 and 14 wins as a full-time member of the Seattle rotation in 2006 and 2007.
Now 22, he picked up win No. 9 of 2008 with a six-inning performance at Cleveland on Friday, during which he allowed six hits and two runs in a 3-2 triumph.
He got a no-decision at Texas on July 28, allowing six hits and three earned runs in six innings of the Mariners' 7-5 win.
Hernandez is 4-6 in 14 career starts against the Rangers with a 4.24 earned run average in 85 innings.
Right-hander Dustin Nippert starts for just the third time this season for Texas and the eighth time in his major league career.
The 6-foot-8, 224-pounder opened the year with 14 straight appearances from the bullpen and posted a 7.03 ERA in 39 2/3 innings.
He's started twice and dropped both verdicts, allowing 13 hits and 10 runs in 9 1/3 innings against Tampa Bay and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
A 15th-round selection of the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2002, Nippert reached the majors and made three starts in 2005, then combined for 36 relief stints and two starts in 2006 and 2007 for Arizona before heading to the American League.
Now 27, he is 0-2 in six home appearances this season with a 4.98 ERA in 21 2/3 innings.
On Tuesday, Josh Hamilton went 3-for-4 and drove in three runs, while Hank Blalock had a pair of hits to go with two RBI, as the Rangers eked out a 6-4 victory. Gerald Laird went 3-for-4 and had an RBI for Texas, which has won two of three.
Brandon McCarthy (1-0) got the win after lasting six frames and yielding just two runs on four hits while fanning four. Frank Francisco struck out the side in the ninth for his third save of the year.
Raul Ibanez recorded a pair of RBI in defeat, while Yuniesky Betancourt had a solo homer for the Mariners, who saw their four-game win streak come to an end.
Ryan Feierabend (0-2) was saddled with the loss after giving up five runs on 11 hits over 5 2/3 innings.
Texas has won nine of its 16 matchups with the Mariners this season.
