M’s Rebuild Bearing Fruit Following Win Over Texas [PHOTOS/VIDEO]

Even the most optimistic of Mariners fans knew that the truncated 2020 season was going to be filled with growing pains as General Manager Jerry DiPoto had to tear a veteran-laden team down to the studs to replenish a depleted farm system. The rebuild may be happening ahead of schedule.
Yusei Kikuch spun six innings of two-hit ball allowing just a single earned run en route to a 6-3 win over the Texas Rangers Friday night (Sept. 4) in front of thousands of cardboard cutout fans at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. The win gave the M's their 8th victory in their last 11 games and improved their record on the year to 16-22 -- good for third place in the AL West.

Kikuchi walked none and struck out 7 batters for his first home win in 11 starts. He was backed by offense from recently acquired Ty France and a three-run home run by J.P. Crawford in the 8th inning to give Seattle a commanding 6-1 lead at the time.

Kendall Graveman came out of the bullpen after coming off the IL to get a 1-2-3 8th inning. The Rangers brought the tying run to the plate in the 9th before being turned away.

Game two of the three-game series is slated for 6:10 p.m. Saturday night."

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