This time there were no bullpen implosions or late-inning drama. The Mariners did something that has been rare in the past few weeks — they beat a team by a comfortable margin.
Seattle got a solid if not lengthy start from left-hander Wade LeBlanc and provided plenty of run support, highlighted by Nelson Cruz’s two-run homer in the third inning, to roll to a comfortable 6-1 victory Thursday over the Rangers at Safeco Field.
More importantly, a bullpen that had been beat up the previous two days returned to form. James Pazos, Juan Nicasio and Chasen Bradford worked the final four innings without allowing a run, while giving an extra day of rest to Alex Colome and closer Edwin Diaz.