Seattle certainly had its chances in this one, putting together seven hits and four walks off Texas starter Cole Hamels and pulling even first at 2 in the fifth and at 3 in the seventh. But walking the tightrope has been difficult with a shaky bullpen this season, and after newcomer Edgar Olmos provided 1 2/3 scoreless innings, Rodney couldn't hold the line in the ninth.
It's not as if the Rangers were belting him around, however. Ryan Strausborger led off with a bunt single that manager Lloyd McClendon felt should have been handled by Rodney.