Defense lets Iwakuma down in loss

ARLINGTON — Veteran right-hander Hisashi Iwakuma gave the Mariners what they desperately needed with a strong seven-inning start Sunday, but a couple defensive lapses spoiled that effort as the Rangers finished off a series sweep with a 3-2 win at Globe Life Park.

This one stung a little more even than the first two games, when Seattle’s pitching simply fell flat out of the gate in allowing 17 runs to the Rangers. Iwakuma ended those troubles — and indeed a longer trend that had seen Seattle’s starters post a 9.33 ERA over their last nine starts — as he allowed just four hits and one earned run.

But alas, it was two unearned runs — courtesy of a pair of errors and a mental mistake by left fielder Stefen Romero — in the Rangers’ three-run fifth that left a bitter taste from this setback.

“I can’t say enough about the job Kuma did,” said manager Scott Servais. “That was exactly what we needed and probably the best he’s been all year, against a hot team. He did a great job. He was aggressive, he attacked the zone, he was very prepared. He knew what he was going to do with all the guys. It was a very professional outing at a time we really needed it.

“I’m excited about that. I appreciate his efforts. Unfortunately, we kind of gave them the game, in my opinion. Defensively we didn’t make some plays that inning, they put a three-spot up and that was kind of the end of the story.”

A fielding error on shortstop Luis Sardinas opened …

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