Ichiro Suzuki and Raul Ibanez had four hits apiece to help the Seattle Mariners beat the Texas Rangers 8-7 on Wednesday, handing the AL West title to the Los Angeles Angels.
Ibanez also had three RBIs and Suzuki moved within 10 of an eighth straight season with at least 200 hits. That would tie Wee Willie Keeler for the most 200-hit seasons to start a career.
The second-place Rangers' loss coupled with the Angels' 4-2 win over the New York Yankees clinched the division for Los Angeles, which became the first team in the majors to wrap up a spot in the postseason.
Roy Corcoran (5-0), the fifth of seven relievers used by the Mariners, worked 1 2-3 scoreless innings to get the win and J.J. Putz earned his 13th save in 21 opportunities.
Nelson Cruz, Taylor Teagarden and Hank Blalock each hit a two-run homer for Texas, which couldn't overcome a rough outing from Kevin Millwood (9-9). Chris Davis added a solo drive in the eighth.
Ibanez hit a tiebreaking RBI single off Kameron Loe in the sixth to make it 7-6 and added another run-scoring single with two outs in the seventh.
Suzuki got the Mariners off to a fast start. He led off the first with an infield single, stole second on the next pitch and raced to third when catcher Teagarden's throw went into center field.
Yuniesky Betancourt then hit a grounder to shortstop, giving the Mariners a 1-0 lead.
Kenji Johjima hit a two-run single in the second, and Ibanez doubled in Betancourt in the third.
Cesar Jimenez worked three scoreless innings in his first major league start for Seattle, which used a committee approach with its starting pitchers ailing. Cruz and Teagarden connected against Jared Wells in the fifth to tie it at 4.
The Mariners' first three hitters, Suzuki, Betancourt and Ibanez, went 10-for-14, scored five runs and drove in four.
Millwood allowed seven runs, five earned, and 11 hits in five-plus innings.
Notes:@ Mariners 3B Adrian Beltre flew to Los Angeles to see a hand specialist about his injured left thumb. "He was really sore (Tuesday) so I know we'll shut him down a couple days, probably," manager Jim Riggleman said. "He'll talk with the doctor and decide what needs to be done at this time or later." There is concern that Beltre will need surgery, which would end his season. ... Texas' Milton Bradley, who came out of Tuesday's game with back pain, sat out Wednesday. Texas manager Ron Washington said it is not a serious issue and expects him to be ready for the four-game Oakland series beginning Thursday. ... Ranger C/DH Gerald Laird batted leadoff Wednesday for the first time in his career. He was 0-2 with a pair of walks.
Copyright 2008 AP News
