Felix hit hard as Mariners' skid hits six

SEATTLE -- While Martin Perez was credited with the win in Texas' 12-4 victory over the Mariners on Wednesday afternoon, the biggest winner was a Ranger who didn't even play. Felix Hernandez was lit up to the tune of nine runs (eight earned) over three-plus innings, ceding ground in the American League Cy Young Award race to Yu Darvish of the Rangers, and Detroit's Max Scherzer.

The rough outing raised Hernandez's ERA from 2.63 -- second in the American League at the time -- to 2.97. In his last five starts, the right-hander's ERA has risen from 2.30. The eight earned runs were the most of Hernandez's career, and it was tied for the second-shortest outing in his nine-year career. He lasted three innings against the Rangers in a 5-3 loss on Sept. 16, 2005, and left a game in 2007 after one-third of an inning because of an injury.

"I gave up nine runs, that's what happened. It was embarrassing, terrible," Hernandez said. "... I was a little bit up. That was the problem. And everything that I threw, they hit and found holes. That's a whole lot of runs."

The 2010 Cy Young Award winner gave up only one home run, a three-run shot to Leonys Martin, but was pelted for 11 hits. The Rangers (78-55) have always been Hernandez's kryptonite -- the righty is 12-20 against Texas in his career, and 0-4 this season. His 20 defeats against them are his most against any opponent. The Angels are second with 13.

"We were fortunate to swing the bat, put the ball in play and find some holes," said Rangers manager Ron Washington. "We don't own Felix. Nobody owns him. I don't think you can scar him. He's a great pitcher and he'll bounce. He's given up runs and bounced back."

Former Mariners teammate Adrian Beltre has been particularly difficult for Hernandez this season. After entering 2013 just 3-for-15 off Hernandez, the Texas designated hitter/third baseman is 6-for-12 against him this season. Beltre slapped a single off Hernandez in the first inning to extend his hitting streak to eight games, and hit a two-run homer off Brandon Maurer in the first at-bat after Hernandez was pulled.

Rookie Brad Miller hit a pair of singles on Wednesday, producing his 11th multi-hit game of the month. In his last 23 games, the shortstop is 29-for-98 (.296) with three home runs, two triples, and three doubles batting primarily in the leadoff spot.

The loss gave Seattle (59-73) an 0-6 record on its homestand, suffering series sweeps at the hands of Texas and the Angels, the first time in franchise history the club has gone winless on a homestand of more than four games. They now embark on an eight-game road trip through Houston and Kansas City. Prior to the homestand, Seattle took series from Texas and Oakland on the road.

"I talked to them yesterday, I mean I couldn't have been any more clearer than that," manager Eric Wedge said. "They're going to find out just what they have inside. I believe in these guys. I've believed in them from Day 1, but they've got to reciprocate. They've got to do their part to come out and play and perform and execute and do whatever they need to do."

After Beltre's blast, Maurer settled down, giving the Mariners three scoreless innings before giving up a homer to Mitch Moreland in the seventh, as well as an RBI single to Elvis Andrus.

Kyle Seager continued to rake against the Rangers, hitting a single as well as a 415-foot bomb off the Hit It Here Café for his 21st home run of the season.

"I haven't hit one up there, so that was a first for me." Seager said.

He'll finish the season 31-for-77 (.403) against the Rangers after going 2-for-3 on Wednesday. He recorded a hit in 18 of 19 games against the Rangers this season, but the Mariners were only 7-12 in those games.

Dustin Ackley hit a home run in the fifth inning -- his third of the year -- and added an RBI double in the ninth. The No. 2 pick in the 2009 Draft is finally living up to the hype for the Mariners, batting .406 in August with nine multi-hit games.