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Hugo Ekitike out of FIFA World Cup 2026 in huge injury blow to France — Reports  France forward Hugo Ekitike ​suffered a ruptured Achilles ‌during Liverpool’s Champions League ​clash against Paris ⁠Saint-Germain on Tuesday and will miss the World ‌Cup, French newspapers        Le Parisien and ‌       L’Equipe reported on ‌Wednesday.The ⁠23-year-old pointed to ⁠his Achilles tendon as medical staff attended to him ​before he ‌was carried off on a stretcher at Anfield, where Liverpool lost 2-0 ‌in their quarter-final ​second leg, exiting the competition with ⁠a 4-0 aggregate defeat.The French football federation (FFF) was ‌not immediately available for comment.Ekitike has 17 goals in all competitions this season since Liverpool signed him ‌from Eintracht Frankfurt for 69 ​million pounds (USD 93.58 million) in July.The World Cup ⁠is being held in ⁠the United States, Mexico and Canada ‌from June 11-July 19Published on Apr 15, 2026  #Hugo #Ekitike #FIFA #World #Cup #huge #injury #blow #France #Reports

Hugo Ekitike out of FIFA World Cup 2026 in huge injury blow to France — Reports

France forward Hugo Ekitike ​suffered a ruptured Achilles ‌during Liverpool’s Champions League ​clash against Paris ⁠Saint-Germain on Tuesday and will miss the World ‌Cup, French newspapers Le Parisien and ‌ L’Equipe reported on ‌Wednesday.

The ⁠23-year-old pointed to ⁠his Achilles tendon as medical staff attended to him ​before he ‌was carried off on a stretcher at Anfield, where Liverpool lost 2-0 ‌in their quarter-final ​second leg, exiting the competition with ⁠a 4-0 aggregate defeat.

The French football federation (FFF) was ‌not immediately available for comment.

Ekitike has 17 goals in all competitions this season since Liverpool signed him ‌from Eintracht Frankfurt for 69 ​million pounds (USD 93.58 million) in July.

The World Cup ⁠is being held in ⁠the United States, Mexico and Canada ‌from June 11-July 19

Published on Apr 15, 2026

#Hugo #Ekitike #FIFA #World #Cup #huge #injury #blow #France #Reports

France forward Hugo Ekitike ​suffered a ruptured Achilles ‌during Liverpool’s Champions League ​clash against Paris ⁠Saint-Germain on Tuesday and will miss the World ‌Cup, French newspapers Le Parisien and ‌ L’Equipe reported on ‌Wednesday.

The ⁠23-year-old pointed to ⁠his Achilles tendon as medical staff attended to him ​before he ‌was carried off on a stretcher at Anfield, where Liverpool lost 2-0 ‌in their quarter-final ​second leg, exiting the competition with ⁠a 4-0 aggregate defeat.

The French football federation (FFF) was ‌not immediately available for comment.

Ekitike has 17 goals in all competitions this season since Liverpool signed him ‌from Eintracht Frankfurt for 69 ​million pounds (USD 93.58 million) in July.

The World Cup ⁠is being held in ⁠the United States, Mexico and Canada ‌from June 11-July 19

Published on Apr 15, 2026

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Deadspin | Craig Albernaz, Orioles showing their resolve vs. D-backs <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28652366.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28652366.jpg" alt="MLB: Baltimore Orioles at Pittsburgh Pirates" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 3, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Baltimore Orioles manager Craig Albernaz (55) during the national anthem against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>A three-game series between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Baltimore Orioles already has been eventful.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>One of the teams will capture the series victory when they meet for the decisive game of the set on Wednesday afternoon in Baltimore.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>The Diamondbacks evened the series with a 4-3 victory on Tuesday, a night after the Orioles rallied from six runs down to win 9-7.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>The series also included a scary sight and then relieving news for the Orioles. First-year manager Craig Albernaz sustained a broken jaw and some fractured cheekbones when he was struck in the face by a foul ball Monday night, but he was back on the job Tuesday.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>“I kind of have to show up every day,” he said. “… We have a game. I’m physically able to be here, so let’s go.”</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>There will be some adjustments away from the field for Albernaz, but he said he can handle the baseball managerial duties. He will be on a special diet and for six weeks he won’t be allowed strenuous activities, so that nixes his role of throwing pitches during batting practice.</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>“I think it’s more of the peace of mind, knowing I don’t need surgery and stuff,” he said. “I can see the whole eating component could be really difficult, which makes sense about the baby food diet, so soft foods for a while.”</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>The Diamondbacks faced their own health issue on Tuesday, pulling Ketel Marte from the lineup a night after he hit two home runs. The second baseman was dealing with back tightness, so his availability for the quick turnaround for the Wednesday afternoon game might be in question.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>“We were working on him during the course of the game,” manager Torey Lovullo said after the Tuesday contest. “I got word about the fifth inning he’d be unavailable. I’ve got him in the lineup (Wednesday), so hopefully he can go out there.”</p> </section><br/><section id="section-10"> <p>The Orioles will hand the ball to right-hander Kyle Bradish (1-2, 5.27 ERA) on Wednesday. He reached the five-inning mark for the first time this year on April 8 in a road victory against the Chicago White Sox. Bradish has been dealing with control issues, as he has walked three batters in each of his three outings.</p> </section> <section id="section-11"> <p>In parts of five big-league seasons, Bradish’s only encounter with Arizona resulted in a victory during a September 2023 matchup. He allowed two runs on four this across six innings, striking out six and walking three.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>Eduardo Rodriguez (1-0, 0.50 ERA) gets the call for the Diamondbacks. The left-hander hadn’t allowed an earned run until his third outing, when the New York Mets broke through for a single tally on Thursday in a game Arizona won 7-1. He went six innings in that appearance.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>Rodriguez holds a 14-5 career record with 2.74 ERA in 25 games (23 starts) against the Orioles. Baltimore is the only opponent against which he owns double-digit wins in his 11-year career.</p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>Depending upon how long Rodriguez last on Wednesday, he could have an unfamiliar reliever taking over for him.</p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>With veteran pitcher Merrill Kelly joining the Arizona rotation this week, Brandon Pfaadt was shifted to the bullpen. Pfaadt has appeared in relief in just one of his 87 major league outings, and that was a 2023 game in which he was the bulk reliever after an opener.</p> </section><section id="section-16"> <p>Lovullo acknowledged the move will be an adjustment for Pfaadt.</p> </section><section id="section-17"> <p>“It’s just where we’re sitting right now,” Lovullo said. “I want to believe it’s going to be great, but it’s going to take some work.”</p> </section><section id="section-18"> <p>Last April, Pfaadt threw six shutout innings against the Orioles as a starter, and Arizona won the game 9-0 in Phoenix.</p> </section><section id="section-19"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Craig #Albernaz #Orioles #showing #resolve #Dbacks

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Deadspin | Lightning, with home ice vs. Habs assured, oppose Rangers in tune-up <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28695338.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28695338.jpg" alt="NHL: Tampa Bay Lightning at Montreal Canadiens" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 9, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN;Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov (86) plays the puck during the second period of the game against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>When Tampa Bay hosts the New York Rangers in the regular-season finale on Wednesday, the Lightning know they won’t need to pack their bags postgame.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Thanks to the Canadiens’ 4-2 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday, the Lightning (50-25-6, 106 points) clinched second place in the Atlantic Division, and Montreal (48-24-10, 106 points) will finish third. The Canadiens will open a first-round playoff series in Tampa this weekend.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>While the Lightning, if they lose in regulation to the Rangers, would finish level on points with the Canadiens, Tampa Bay owns the regulation-wins tiebreaker (40-34).</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>The Rangers (33-39-9, 75 points), who will finish a dreadful campaign last in the Eastern Conference, are 1-1-0 against the Lightning.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>The previous matchups have been blowouts. New York won 7-3 at Tampa on Nov. 12, while the Lightning returned the favor in a 4-1 win on the road against the Rangers on Nov. 29.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>Darker times were ahead for the Rangers after Black Friday.</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>Coach Mike Sullivan’s crew fell out of the wild-card race after going 10-17-5 during a three-month stretch in December, January and a truncated February due to the Winter Olympics.</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>On Monday, the Rangers celebrated the career of retiring goaltender Jonathan Quick, who was starting his final game. However, they lost 3-2 as the Florida Panthers played a defensive-minded game and cashed in three times in their 16 shots and beat the 2011-12 Conn Smythe Trophy winner.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-9"> <p>“I thought Quicky played well for us,” said Sullivan, whose group all wore the goalie’s No. 32 sweater in warmups. “Obviously, tonight was about a celebration for him. … He’s an inspiration to all of us, just in his example and how he carries himself. In a lot of ways, he personifies what we hope to become as a group.</p> </section> <section id="section-10"> <p>“His work ethic, his attention to detail, just incredible attitude. His professionalism is second to no one’s. … We’re all better that we’ve had the opportunity to work with him.”</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>The Lightning recorded a 4-3 overtime victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Monday, helping them keep pace with Montreal after they squandered a two-goal lead entering the third period.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>Nikita Kucherov scored 27 seconds into overtime on his team’s first possession by finishing a give-and-go created by Brayden Point, leading to a two-on-one rush that produced the victory.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>Lightning coach Jon Cooper thinks Kucherov should be awarded a second Hart Trophy after winning his first for the 2018-19 season. He leads Tampa Bay in goals (44), assists (86) and points (130).</p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>“There are some fabulous players in this league. … He’s pretty darn important to us,” said Cooper after his team put itself in position to control its playoff destination this weekend. “Could you make a case for a bunch of guys? Yes. But I think it’s pretty evident that Kuch has made a name for himself this year, that he should be the guy.”</p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy got a toe on Alex DeBrincat’s breakaway try on the first shot in overtime, keeping the match alive and leading to Kucherov’s winner nine seconds later.</p> </section><section id="section-16"> <p>A strong Vezina Trophy candidate, Vasilevskiy leads the NHL in wins and owns a 39-15-4 record. The 2018-19 Vezina winner boasts a 2.31 goals-against average (second-best in the league) and a .912 save percentage (tied for third).</p> </section><section id="section-17"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Lightning #home #ice #Habs #assured #oppose #Rangers #tuneup

Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina picked up her second title of the year as she outclassed Karolina Muchova 7-5, 6-1 to win the WTA Stuttgart indoor clay-court tournament on Sunday.

Top seed Rybakina, 26, snatched a tight opening set with two breaks against her seventh-seeded Czech opponent after 53 minutes on court in Germany.

The Kazakh never looked back in the second set rushing to a 5-0 lead as Muchova struggled with her serve, sealing victory and the 13th title of her career after 1hr 18 min.

Rybakina, who finished runner-up at Indian Wells last month, regained the title she won two years ago and drives off with a second Porsche sports car — the coveted prize awarded to the champion in Stuttgart.

Rybakina beats Muchova to win Stuttgart Open 2026  Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina picked up her second title of the year as she outclassed Karolina Muchova 7-5, 6-1 to win the WTA Stuttgart indoor clay-court tournament on Sunday.Top seed Rybakina, 26, snatched a tight opening set with two breaks against her seventh-seeded Czech opponent after 53 minutes on court in Germany.The Kazakh never looked back in the second set rushing to a 5-0 lead as Muchova struggled with her serve, sealing victory and the 13th title of her career after 1hr 18 min.Rybakina, who finished runner-up at Indian Wells last month, regained the title she won two years ago and drives off with a second Porsche sports car — the coveted prize awarded to the champion in Stuttgart. Muchova, the 2023 Roland Garros runner-up, was playing the first 500-level final of her career.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                AFP
                            

                            Muchova, the 2023 Roland Garros runner-up, was playing the first 500-level final of her career.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                AFP
                                                    Muchova had lead Rybakina 2-1 in previous meetings heading into the title match having won their most recent clash on hard court in Brisbane in January.Rybakina had a relatively smooth run this week dropping only one set and dispatching her toughest opponent world number six Mirra Andreeva by the same score on Saturday.Muchova, the 2023 Roland Garros runner-up, was playing the first 500-level final of her career.The 29-year-old had eliminated French Open champion Coco Gauff in three sets in the quarterfinals but she was no match for two-time Grand Slam winner Rybakina.Rybakina dominated the early part of the first set but the former Wimbledon champion had to wait until her third set point on Muchova’s serve, to clinch it.She then cruised to the line, winning seven games in a row between the end of the first and the second set.Published on Apr 19, 2026  #Rybakina #beats #Muchova #win #Stuttgart #Open

Muchova, the 2023 Roland Garros runner-up, was playing the first 500-level final of her career. | Photo Credit: AFP

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Muchova, the 2023 Roland Garros runner-up, was playing the first 500-level final of her career. | Photo Credit: AFP

Muchova had lead Rybakina 2-1 in previous meetings heading into the title match having won their most recent clash on hard court in Brisbane in January.

Rybakina had a relatively smooth run this week dropping only one set and dispatching her toughest opponent world number six Mirra Andreeva by the same score on Saturday.

Muchova, the 2023 Roland Garros runner-up, was playing the first 500-level final of her career.

The 29-year-old had eliminated French Open champion Coco Gauff in three sets in the quarterfinals but she was no match for two-time Grand Slam winner Rybakina.

Rybakina dominated the early part of the first set but the former Wimbledon champion had to wait until her third set point on Muchova’s serve, to clinch it.

She then cruised to the line, winning seven games in a row between the end of the first and the second set.

Published on Apr 19, 2026

#Rybakina #beats #Muchova #win #Stuttgart #Open">Rybakina beats Muchova to win Stuttgart Open 2026  Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina picked up her second title of the year as she outclassed Karolina Muchova 7-5, 6-1 to win the WTA Stuttgart indoor clay-court tournament on Sunday.Top seed Rybakina, 26, snatched a tight opening set with two breaks against her seventh-seeded Czech opponent after 53 minutes on court in Germany.The Kazakh never looked back in the second set rushing to a 5-0 lead as Muchova struggled with her serve, sealing victory and the 13th title of her career after 1hr 18 min.Rybakina, who finished runner-up at Indian Wells last month, regained the title she won two years ago and drives off with a second Porsche sports car — the coveted prize awarded to the champion in Stuttgart. Muchova, the 2023 Roland Garros runner-up, was playing the first 500-level final of her career.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                AFP
                            

                            Muchova, the 2023 Roland Garros runner-up, was playing the first 500-level final of her career.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                AFP
                                                    Muchova had lead Rybakina 2-1 in previous meetings heading into the title match having won their most recent clash on hard court in Brisbane in January.Rybakina had a relatively smooth run this week dropping only one set and dispatching her toughest opponent world number six Mirra Andreeva by the same score on Saturday.Muchova, the 2023 Roland Garros runner-up, was playing the first 500-level final of her career.The 29-year-old had eliminated French Open champion Coco Gauff in three sets in the quarterfinals but she was no match for two-time Grand Slam winner Rybakina.Rybakina dominated the early part of the first set but the former Wimbledon champion had to wait until her third set point on Muchova’s serve, to clinch it.She then cruised to the line, winning seven games in a row between the end of the first and the second set.Published on Apr 19, 2026  #Rybakina #beats #Muchova #win #Stuttgart #Open

Deadspin | Nothing comes easily for M’s ahead of finale vs. Rangers    Apr 14, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryan Woo (22) throws a pitch during the sixth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images   At some point this season, the Seattle Mariners will coast to a victory.  It appeared that might be the case on Saturday, when they carried a six-run lead into the ninth inning against the visiting Texas Rangers.  But nothing has been easy for these Mariners.  Closer Andres Munoz, who blew a four-run lead in a 7-6 loss Wednesday at San Diego, was forced to make an entrance in the ninth on Saturday with two outs and the bases loaded and the tying run at the plate.  Munoz struck out Brandon Nimmo for the final out in a 7-3 victory as the Mariners beat the American League West co-leaders for the first time in five meetings this season. The current three-game series will conclude Sunday afternoon in Seattle.  “It feels a lot better,” said Munoz, comparing Saturday to his previous outing. “We still have a lot of work to do. I’ve been working a lot these (last) couple days to get to this point. Obviously, we are not there yet, but it makes me feel a lot better that we are going in the right direction.”  Seattle’s George Kirby (3-2) allowed one run over 5 2/3 innings in improving to 9-1 in his career starts against Texas. Luke Raley homered as the Mariners snapped a four-game skid.  Josh Jung went deep for the Rangers, who had a two-game winning streak snapped.  Texas had its chances on Saturday, going 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and leaving 16 on base.   “We kept putting pressure on, had the right guys up, the hot hitters up and just couldn’t get that big hit,” manager Skip Schumaker said. “I loved the battle, loved the at-bats. We did not chase today, for the most part, against a really tough pitcher.”  The Mariners were without third baseman and leadoff hitter Brendan Donovan, who left after the third inning Friday with discomfort in his left hip.  Donovan, who had offseason surgery for a sports hernia, has missed time with hip and groin issues this season.  “It’s something that you have to closely monitor and keep watching,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said. “It’s a big surgery, and he did a great job of getting through it, getting through spring training, and the slow ramp-up in spring training. Now that we’re into the season, it’s just continued monitoring.”  Sunday’s series finale will feature Rangers left-hander MacKenzie Gore (2-1, 3.00 ERA) against Mariners right-hander Bryan Woo (0-2, 2.16).  The two squared off April 8 in Arlington, Texas, with Gore and the Rangers winning 3-0. Gore pitched five scoreless innings of one-hit ball with nine strikeouts while Woo gave up one earned run (three overall) on five hits over five frames.  Gore, who suffered a 2-1 loss to the host Athletics on Tuesday in West Sacramento, Calif., is 2-0 with an 0.50 ERA in three career starts against Seattle.  Woo, who lost 4-1 Tuesday at San Diego despite pitching seven solid innings, is 2-3 with a 4.12 ERA in eight previous starts vs. the Rangers.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #easily #ahead #finale #RangersApr 14, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryan Woo (22) throws a pitch during the sixth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images

At some point this season, the Seattle Mariners will coast to a victory.

It appeared that might be the case on Saturday, when they carried a six-run lead into the ninth inning against the visiting Texas Rangers.

But nothing has been easy for these Mariners.

Closer Andres Munoz, who blew a four-run lead in a 7-6 loss Wednesday at San Diego, was forced to make an entrance in the ninth on Saturday with two outs and the bases loaded and the tying run at the plate.

Munoz struck out Brandon Nimmo for the final out in a 7-3 victory as the Mariners beat the American League West co-leaders for the first time in five meetings this season. The current three-game series will conclude Sunday afternoon in Seattle.

“It feels a lot better,” said Munoz, comparing Saturday to his previous outing. “We still have a lot of work to do. I’ve been working a lot these (last) couple days to get to this point. Obviously, we are not there yet, but it makes me feel a lot better that we are going in the right direction.”

Seattle’s George Kirby (3-2) allowed one run over 5 2/3 innings in improving to 9-1 in his career starts against Texas. Luke Raley homered as the Mariners snapped a four-game skid.

Josh Jung went deep for the Rangers, who had a two-game winning streak snapped.


Texas had its chances on Saturday, going 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and leaving 16 on base.

“We kept putting pressure on, had the right guys up, the hot hitters up and just couldn’t get that big hit,” manager Skip Schumaker said. “I loved the battle, loved the at-bats. We did not chase today, for the most part, against a really tough pitcher.”

The Mariners were without third baseman and leadoff hitter Brendan Donovan, who left after the third inning Friday with discomfort in his left hip.

Donovan, who had offseason surgery for a sports hernia, has missed time with hip and groin issues this season.

“It’s something that you have to closely monitor and keep watching,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said. “It’s a big surgery, and he did a great job of getting through it, getting through spring training, and the slow ramp-up in spring training. Now that we’re into the season, it’s just continued monitoring.”

Sunday’s series finale will feature Rangers left-hander MacKenzie Gore (2-1, 3.00 ERA) against Mariners right-hander Bryan Woo (0-2, 2.16).

The two squared off April 8 in Arlington, Texas, with Gore and the Rangers winning 3-0. Gore pitched five scoreless innings of one-hit ball with nine strikeouts while Woo gave up one earned run (three overall) on five hits over five frames.

Gore, who suffered a 2-1 loss to the host Athletics on Tuesday in West Sacramento, Calif., is 2-0 with an 0.50 ERA in three career starts against Seattle.

Woo, who lost 4-1 Tuesday at San Diego despite pitching seven solid innings, is 2-3 with a 4.12 ERA in eight previous starts vs. the Rangers.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #easily #ahead #finale #Rangers">Deadspin | Nothing comes easily for M’s ahead of finale vs. Rangers    Apr 14, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryan Woo (22) throws a pitch during the sixth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images   At some point this season, the Seattle Mariners will coast to a victory.  It appeared that might be the case on Saturday, when they carried a six-run lead into the ninth inning against the visiting Texas Rangers.  But nothing has been easy for these Mariners.  Closer Andres Munoz, who blew a four-run lead in a 7-6 loss Wednesday at San Diego, was forced to make an entrance in the ninth on Saturday with two outs and the bases loaded and the tying run at the plate.  Munoz struck out Brandon Nimmo for the final out in a 7-3 victory as the Mariners beat the American League West co-leaders for the first time in five meetings this season. The current three-game series will conclude Sunday afternoon in Seattle.  “It feels a lot better,” said Munoz, comparing Saturday to his previous outing. “We still have a lot of work to do. I’ve been working a lot these (last) couple days to get to this point. Obviously, we are not there yet, but it makes me feel a lot better that we are going in the right direction.”  Seattle’s George Kirby (3-2) allowed one run over 5 2/3 innings in improving to 9-1 in his career starts against Texas. Luke Raley homered as the Mariners snapped a four-game skid.  Josh Jung went deep for the Rangers, who had a two-game winning streak snapped.  Texas had its chances on Saturday, going 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and leaving 16 on base.   “We kept putting pressure on, had the right guys up, the hot hitters up and just couldn’t get that big hit,” manager Skip Schumaker said. “I loved the battle, loved the at-bats. We did not chase today, for the most part, against a really tough pitcher.”  The Mariners were without third baseman and leadoff hitter Brendan Donovan, who left after the third inning Friday with discomfort in his left hip.  Donovan, who had offseason surgery for a sports hernia, has missed time with hip and groin issues this season.  “It’s something that you have to closely monitor and keep watching,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said. “It’s a big surgery, and he did a great job of getting through it, getting through spring training, and the slow ramp-up in spring training. Now that we’re into the season, it’s just continued monitoring.”  Sunday’s series finale will feature Rangers left-hander MacKenzie Gore (2-1, 3.00 ERA) against Mariners right-hander Bryan Woo (0-2, 2.16).  The two squared off April 8 in Arlington, Texas, with Gore and the Rangers winning 3-0. Gore pitched five scoreless innings of one-hit ball with nine strikeouts while Woo gave up one earned run (three overall) on five hits over five frames.  Gore, who suffered a 2-1 loss to the host Athletics on Tuesday in West Sacramento, Calif., is 2-0 with an 0.50 ERA in three career starts against Seattle.  Woo, who lost 4-1 Tuesday at San Diego despite pitching seven solid innings, is 2-3 with a 4.12 ERA in eight previous starts vs. the Rangers.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #easily #ahead #finale #Rangers

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