Felix Hernandez Loses No-Hitter But Holds On For Win Over Rangers Friday

Seattle, WA (Sports Network) - Felix Hernandez took a no-hitter into the eighth inning, as the Seattle Mariners held on to edge the Texas Rangers, 2-1, and snap a seven-game losing streak.

Nelson Cruz broke up Hernandez's bid with a leadoff homer in the eighth, but that was the only run surrendered by the right-hander. He ended up allowing three total hits, walked one and struck out eight over eight frames.

Hernandez (12-11) walked Elvis Andrus to start the game, but retired 21 in a row before Cruz's homer. His performance lowered his ERA to 2.35, and was remarkable also because he had not had much success against Texas this season. In four prior starts, he had gone going 0-3 with a 6.38 ERA.

C.J. Wilson (14-7) turned in a solid start for the Rangers, limiting Seattle to two runs in eight innings. He gave up six hits, walked three and struck out six, but also threw a wild pitch that scored a run.

The Rangers entered this three-game series on a seven-game win streak, which helped them secure their place at the top of the AL West. But because second- place Oakland beat Minnesota earlier Friday, Texas' magic number for clinching the division remained eight.

Seattle got its runs early. Franklin Gutierrez opened the second by reaching on an infield single, and later moved to second on a groundout. He stole third with two away before scoring on Wilson's wild pitch.

Then in the third, Ichiro Suzuki singled with one away, stole second and third, and scored on Chone Figgins' single to center.

It was enough run support for Hernandez, who was cruising and ended the seventh by getting Vladimir Guerrero to ground out. But his chance at throwing the third no-hitter in Mariners history ended in the next inning.

Cruz stepped in and took a low slider before pouncing on a fastball in the zone, crushing the pitch to center field.

Hernandez got into more trouble in the inning, giving up consecutive one-out singles to Mitch Moreland and pinch-hitter Chris Davis. However, he got Julio Borbon to pop out before Andrus grounded out to end the inning.

David Aardsma tossed a 1-2-3 ninth to secure the win and earn his 30th save.

The two pitchers to throw a no-hitter in Seattle history are Randy Johnson (June 2, 1990) and Chris Bosio (April 22, 1993)...Guerrero had his 10-game hitting streak halted after going 0-for-4...It was revealed Friday that Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton, who has not played since September 4 because of a bruised right rib cage, received two cortisone injections Wednesday.