| 1 | ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -- The Texas Rangers' chances of contending for a postseason berth will improve if Derek Holland delivers more pitching performances like Wednesday's. |
| 2 | Holland won in his return from a four-month stint on the disabled list, and Texas hit back-to-back-to-back home runs in the seventh inning as the Rangers beat the Seattle Mariners 7-2. |
| 3 | The Rangers completed a 5-1 homestand and have won 12 of their last 16 games. |
| 4 | Holland (1-1) scattered eight hits, struck out six and walked none over 6 1-3 innings. |
| 5 | He was activated from the DL on Wednesday following a shoulder injury suffered in his season debut on April 10. |
| 6 | ''These guys have been playing their tails off this whole year, and I haven't been able to help out,'' Holland said. |
| 7 | Mitch Moreland and Elvis Andrus each had three RBIs and hit homers that sandwiched Mike Napoli's 446-foot blast to center off Joe Beimel. |
| 8 | It was the eighth time in franchise history that batters hit three consecutive homers. |
| 9 | Napoli's homer was the 200th of his career. |
| 10 | Seattle left-hander Mike Montgomery (4-6) allowed three runs and five base runners in the first, but shut out Texas over the next five innings. |
| 11 | Holland, 28, resembled the pitcher who compiled a 3-0 postseason record for Texas in its pennant winning years of 2010-11. |
| 12 | In 2014, he suffered a knee injury in January that limited him to six September appearances, five starts, during which he compiled a 1.46 ERA. |
| 13 | Holland started the Rangers' home opener this season against Houston. |
| 14 | He gave up one run on two hits in the first inning and then exited with a torn shoulder muscle after nine pitches. |
| 15 | ''This is a guy who's been on a mission since the last time we saw him,'' Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. |
| 16 | Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon said he was surprised by Holland's effectiveness in his first major league start since April. |
| 17 | ''He came right out of the gate, throwing 92, 93,'' McClendon said. |
| 18 | ''He's a big-game pitcher. |
| 19 | Holland threw scoreless ball until Mark Trumbo hit his 15th homer of the season - his sixth since joining Seattle - in the fifth. |
| 20 | The Mariners loaded the bases on three straight singles in the sixth but scored just one run. |
| 21 | Rangers center fielder Delino DeShields, a converted infielder, made two standout defense plays behind Holland. |
| 22 | DeShields made a running catch at the warning track to rob Nelson Cruz of an extra-base hit in the fourth inning. |
| 23 | In the seventh, he threw out Jesus Montero at home trying to score the tying run. |
| 24 | ''His arm has gotten better,'' Banister said of DeShields. |
| 25 | OF Josh Hamilton missed his fourth consecutive game with a sore left knee and said he wasn't sure he would be able to play Thursday at Detroit. |
| 26 | Hamilton said he hopes he isn't put on the disabled list. |
| 27 | ''What if I go on the DL and three days from now my knee pops and, damn, it feels good?'' he asked. |
| 28 | Mariners: LHP James Paxton (strained left middle finger) is scheduled for light throwing Friday and could begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Tacoma on Sunday. |
| 29 | Rangers: Banister said closer Shawn Tolleson recently hurt his right foot stepping on first base but X-rays showed no damage. |
| 30 | Mariners: Seattle will be off Thursday, its third day off in the past 15 days. |
| 31 | The Mariners will open a six-game homestand on Friday against the Chicago White Sox. |
| 32 | RHP Felix Hernandez (14-7) is scheduled to pitch against LHP Chris Sale (11-7). |
| 33 | Rangers: LHP Martin Perez (1-2) has made six starts since being activated after the All-Star break following Tommy John surgery last year. |
| 34 | His performance has been erratic - he allowed eight earned runs in one inning against the Yankees, but has also taken a shutout into the ninth against the Giants. |