Mariners bats come up big, beat Rangers



Arlington, TX--

Raul Ibanez hit his 20th home run of the season and Kendrys Morales homered twice and drove in six RBIs to lead the Seattle Mariners past the Texas Rangers 9-2 on Tuesday night.

The switch-hitting Morales, who has been hampered by a sore back, hit .235 with one home run in 25 June games before jumping on the Rangers for the 10th multihomer game of his career.

Joe Saunders (6-8) won for the first time in eight regular-season starts at Rangers Ballpark. The left-hander allowed two runs — one earned — and struck out five in 6 2-3 innings.

Raul Ibanez, who hit 10 homers in June, had a solo shot for his 20th of the season as the Mariners opened a six-game road trip.

The Mariners had 13 hits and scored their most runs since beating San Diego 9-0 on May 27.