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Randy Arozarena drives in winning run in 9th, Mariners beat Rangers 5-4

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Randy Arozarena drives in winning run in 9th, Mariners beat Rangers 5-4
Sport

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Randy Arozarena drives in winning run in 9th, Mariners beat Rangers 5-4

2024-09-15 13:48 Last Updated At:13:50

SEATTLE (AP) — Randy Arozarena had a one-out bases-loaded single in the ninth inning to give the Seattle Mariners a 5-4 victory over the Texas Rangers on Saturday night.

Victor Robles doubled and stole third, and Julio Rodríguez and Cal Raleigh walked before Arozarena hit a sharp ground ball off José Leclerc (6-5) that got by shortstop Josh Smith to score Robles.

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Seattle Mariners starter Logan Gilbert delivers a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Seattle Mariners starter Logan Gilbert delivers a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Texas Rangers' Leody Taveras hits a two-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Texas Rangers' Leody Taveras hits a two-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Texas Rangers' Leody Taveras, right, celebrates with Carson Kelly after scoring a run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Texas Rangers' Leody Taveras, right, celebrates with Carson Kelly after scoring a run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodriguez celebrates after hitting a solo home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodriguez celebrates after hitting a solo home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Texas Rangers' Marcus Semien, right, celebrates with Josh Smith after hitting a two-run home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Texas Rangers' Marcus Semien, right, celebrates with Josh Smith after hitting a two-run home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Seattle Mariners' Luke Raley steals third base against Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Seattle Mariners' Luke Raley steals third base against Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Seattle Mariners reliever Andres Munoz delivers a pitch during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Seattle Mariners reliever Andres Munoz delivers a pitch during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Texas Rangers' Marcus Semien hits a two-run home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Texas Rangers' Marcus Semien hits a two-run home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Seattle Mariners' Luke Raley hits a two-run home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Seattle Mariners' Luke Raley hits a two-run home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

From left, Seattle Mariners pitching coach Pete Woodworth, catcher Cal Raleigh, starting pitcher Logan Gilbert, first baseman Justin Turner, shortstop J.P. Crawford and second baseman Jorge Polanco meet at the mound during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

From left, Seattle Mariners pitching coach Pete Woodworth, catcher Cal Raleigh, starting pitcher Logan Gilbert, first baseman Justin Turner, shortstop J.P. Crawford and second baseman Jorge Polanco meet at the mound during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Seattle Mariners' Randy Arozarena hits a RBI single during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Seattle Mariners' Randy Arozarena hits a RBI single during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Texas Rangers starter Max Scherzer delivers a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Texas Rangers starter Max Scherzer delivers a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Seattle Mariners' Randy Arozarena douses himself with a bucket of water after a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Seattle Mariners' Randy Arozarena douses himself with a bucket of water after a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Seattle Mariners' Randy Arozarena, center, celebrates with teammates including Jorge Polanco, far right, and Julio Rodriguez, second from right, after a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Seattle Mariners' Randy Arozarena, center, celebrates with teammates including Jorge Polanco, far right, and Julio Rodriguez, second from right, after a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Arozarena has four career walk-off hits — three singles and a home run. His single came Saturday night came on an 0-2 count.

“The first two pitches, I was really just trying to hit a home run,” Arozarena said through interpreter Juan Rodriguez. “Took some big swings, but then after that, I shortened it up for the third one, really focusing on making contact, and was able to do so.”

With Houston's victory over the Los Angeles Angels, the Mariners remained 4 1/2 games back in the AL West standings, and are 2 1/2 games behind the Minnesota Twins for the final AL wild-card spot.

“We've played a lot of one-run games during this stretch and we've come out on top of a lot of them," Mariners manager Dan Wilson said. “We've come out the other side, it feels a lot better to get on top of those one-run games and tonight was no exception. It does prepare you for what may be ahead, but we just take it obviously one night at a time.”

Andrés Muñoz (3-6) pitched a scoreless ninth for the victory.

Josh Rojas gave the Mariners the lead with a bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the second, but Leody Taveras put Texas ahead with a two-run blast to right field off Logan Gilbert in the third.

Rodríguez hit a 446-foot home run to left field off Max Scherzer in the third to tie it, his sixth consecutive hit and second 400-foot homer in as many games. Rodríguez had two nights on the night, and now has seven hits in the Mariners past three games.

Since August 28, Rodríguez is hitting .353.

“Everybody knows when Julio is going really well, we’re a really, really good team. Completely different,” Gilbert said. “So it’s fun to see what he’s doing. I know he’s always had the confidence and composure no matter what’s going on, so it says a lot about him, especially at his age.”

Gilbert struck out seven batters over six innings of work, with four earned runs allowed on six hits.

Scherzer was activated from the injured list before the game after being sidelined since July 30 because of shoulder problems. He pitched four innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits with two strikeouts.

Marcus Semien gave the Rangers the lead in the top of the fifth with a two-run homer, but Luke Raley tied it again with a two-run blast of his own in the bottom half off Jack Leiter, his career-high 20th of the season.

Leiter pitched four innings in relief, allowing two earned runs on three hits, with six strikeouts,.

Robles stole two bases on the night for Seattle. He is 25 for 25 in stolen-base attempts since joining the team on June 5, and has swiped third base 11 times.

“How much is their aggressive base-running a part of tonight? Yeah, we have to do a better job,” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said. “Yeah, that's on the pitchers. You know, be a little quicker and watch them. We knew that coming into the game and put us in a tough situation there.”

The Mariners are 14-1 when wearing their City Connect uniforms.

UP NEXT

LHP Andrew Heaney (5-13, 3.84 ERA) will pitch Sunday for Texas, while RHP George Kirby (11-11, 3.77 ERA) will take the ball for Seattle.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Seattle Mariners starter Logan Gilbert delivers a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Seattle Mariners starter Logan Gilbert delivers a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Texas Rangers' Leody Taveras hits a two-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Texas Rangers' Leody Taveras hits a two-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Texas Rangers' Leody Taveras, right, celebrates with Carson Kelly after scoring a run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Texas Rangers' Leody Taveras, right, celebrates with Carson Kelly after scoring a run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodriguez celebrates after hitting a solo home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodriguez celebrates after hitting a solo home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Texas Rangers' Marcus Semien, right, celebrates with Josh Smith after hitting a two-run home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Texas Rangers' Marcus Semien, right, celebrates with Josh Smith after hitting a two-run home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Seattle Mariners' Luke Raley steals third base against Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Seattle Mariners' Luke Raley steals third base against Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Seattle Mariners reliever Andres Munoz delivers a pitch during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Seattle Mariners reliever Andres Munoz delivers a pitch during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Texas Rangers' Marcus Semien hits a two-run home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Texas Rangers' Marcus Semien hits a two-run home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Seattle Mariners' Luke Raley hits a two-run home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Seattle Mariners' Luke Raley hits a two-run home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

From left, Seattle Mariners pitching coach Pete Woodworth, catcher Cal Raleigh, starting pitcher Logan Gilbert, first baseman Justin Turner, shortstop J.P. Crawford and second baseman Jorge Polanco meet at the mound during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

From left, Seattle Mariners pitching coach Pete Woodworth, catcher Cal Raleigh, starting pitcher Logan Gilbert, first baseman Justin Turner, shortstop J.P. Crawford and second baseman Jorge Polanco meet at the mound during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Seattle Mariners' Randy Arozarena hits a RBI single during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Seattle Mariners' Randy Arozarena hits a RBI single during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Texas Rangers starter Max Scherzer delivers a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Texas Rangers starter Max Scherzer delivers a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Seattle Mariners' Randy Arozarena douses himself with a bucket of water after a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Seattle Mariners' Randy Arozarena douses himself with a bucket of water after a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Seattle Mariners' Randy Arozarena, center, celebrates with teammates including Jorge Polanco, far right, and Julio Rodriguez, second from right, after a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Seattle Mariners' Randy Arozarena, center, celebrates with teammates including Jorge Polanco, far right, and Julio Rodriguez, second from right, after a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate quickly confirmed Marco Rubio as secretary of state Monday, voting unanimously to give President Donald Trump the first member of his new Cabinet on Inauguration Day.

Rubio, the Republican senator from Florida, is among the least controversial of Trump’s nominees and vote was decisive, 99-0. Another pick, John Ratcliffe for CIA director, is also expected to have a swift vote, as soon as Tuesday. Action on others, including former combat veteran and Fox News host Pete Hegseth for defense secretary, is possible later in the week.

“Marco Rubio is a very intelligent man with a remarkable understanding of American foreign policy,” Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, the senior-most Republican, said as the chamber opened.

It’s often tradition for the Senate to convene immediately after the ceremonial pomp of the inauguration to begin putting the new president’s team in place, particularly the national security officials. During Trump’s first term, the Senate swiftly confirmed his defense and homeland security secretaries on day one, and President Joe Biden’s choice for director of national intelligence was confirmed on his own Inauguration Day.

With Trump’s return to the White House, and his Republican Party controlling majorities in Congress, his outsider Cabinet choices are more clearly falling into place, despite initial skepticism and opposition from both sides of the aisle.

Rubio, who was surrounded by colleagues in the Senate chamber, said afterward he feels “good, but there’s a lot of work ahead.”

“It’s an important job in an important time, and I’m honored by it,” Rubio said.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune moved quickly Monday, announcing he expected voting to begin “imminently” on Trump’s nominees.

Democrats have calculated it's better for them to be seen as more willing to work with Trump, rather than simply mounting a blockade to his nominees. They're holding their opposition for some of his other picks who have less support, including Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for health secretary.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said his party will “neither rubber-stamp nominees we feel are grossly unqualified, nor oppose nominees that deserve serious consideration.”

Rubio, he said, is an example of "a qualified nominee we think should be confirmed quickly."

Senate committees have been holding lengthy confirmation hearings on more than a dozen of the Cabinet nominees, with more to come this week. And several panels are expected to meet late Monday to begin voting to advance the nominees to the full Senate for confirmation.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee unanimously advanced Rubio's nomination late Monday. The Senate Armed Services Committee and Senate Intelligence Committee, respectively, voted to move the nominations of Hegseth and Ratcliffe. And the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee advanced nominees Kristi Noem as homeland security secretary and Russell Vought as director of the Office of Management and Budget, but with opposition.

Rubio, a well-liked senator and former Trump rival during the 2016 presidential race, has drawn closer to the president in recent years. He appeared last week to answer questions before the Foreign Relations Committee, where he has spent more than a decade as a member.

As secretary of state, Rubio would be the nation’s top diplomat, and the first Latino to hold the position. Born in Miami to Cuban immigrants, he has long been involved in foreign affairs, particularly in South America, and has emerged as a hawk on China’s rise.

During his confirmation hearing last week, Rubio warned of the consequences of America’s “unbalanced relationship” with China. While he echoes Trump’s anti-globalist rhetoric, Rubio is also seen as an internationalist who understands the power of U.S. involvement on the global stage.

Rubio cultivated bipartisan support from across the aisle, both Republicans and Democrats. He takes over for outgoing Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who has said he hopes the Trump administration continues Biden's policies in the Middle East to end the war in Gaza and to help Ukraine counter Russian nomination.

The Senate is split 53-47, but the resignation of Vice President JD Vance and, soon, Rubio drops the GOP majority further until their successors arrive. Republicans need almost all every party member in line to overcome Democratic opposition to nominees.

Objection from any one senator, as is expected with Hegseth and several other choices, would force the Senate into procedural steps that would drag voting later into the week.

Associated Press writers Farnoush Amiri and Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this report.

President-elect Donald Trump's Cabinet picks, other nominees and appointments, pose for a photo at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. First row from left, Elise Stefanik, John Ratcliffe, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Howard Lutnick, Pete Hegseth, Doug Burgum, Brooke L. Rollins, Marco Rubio and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.; second row from left, Scott Turner, Tulsi Gabbard, Sean Duffy, Linda McMahon, Lee Zeldin, Kristi Noem, Chris Wright, Doug Collins, Kelly Loeffler and Scott Bessent; and third row from left, Stephen Miran, Jamieson Greer, Kevin Hassett, Kash Patel and Russell Vought. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

President-elect Donald Trump's Cabinet picks, other nominees and appointments, pose for a photo at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. First row from left, Elise Stefanik, John Ratcliffe, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Howard Lutnick, Pete Hegseth, Doug Burgum, Brooke L. Rollins, Marco Rubio and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.; second row from left, Scott Turner, Tulsi Gabbard, Sean Duffy, Linda McMahon, Lee Zeldin, Kristi Noem, Chris Wright, Doug Collins, Kelly Loeffler and Scott Bessent; and third row from left, Stephen Miran, Jamieson Greer, Kevin Hassett, Kash Patel and Russell Vought. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., a nominee for Secretary of State, attends the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Kevin Lamarque/Pool Photo via AP)

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., a nominee for Secretary of State, attends the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Kevin Lamarque/Pool Photo via AP)

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