ARLINGTON, Texas -- Robinson Cano drove in four runs for the first time with Seattle, and the wild card-contending Mariners jumped out to a big early lead on the way to a 10-2 victory over the Texas Rangers on Thursday night.
Rookie left-hander Roenis Elias (10-12) allowed a run in five innings to become the fourth Seattle starter with at least 10 wins.
Robbie Ross (2-6) gave up six runs and five hits in 1 2-3 innings. The lefty was the first of six Texas pitchers, with two more making their big league debuts to increase the Rangers' major league record totals to 40 pitchers used and 63 players overall this season.
While long a forgone conclusion, the Rangers (53-87) became the first team in the majors eliminated from playoff contention after their sixth loss in a row. They went to their second consecutive World Series only three years ago.
Cano had a two-run single in Seattle's six-run second against Ross, all with two outs. Cano's two-out double an inning later, the first extra-base hit for the Mariners, drove in two more to make it 9-0.
Chris Denorfia homered in the seventh, his first in 20 games with the Mariners since being acquired from San Diego at the end of July.
In the first season of his $240 million, 10-year deal after leaving the Yankees in free agency, Cano is hitting .322 with 32 doubles, 13 home runs and 75 RBIs through 134 games. He had 23 games with at least four RBIs during his nine seasons in New York, and his career high is six.
After throwing five no-hit innings in his previous start Saturday at Houston, Ross allowed an infield single to Austin Jackson leading off the game. But the Mariners didn't score in the first, and the first two batters were out in the second before seven in row reached to chase Ross.
Mariners: Manager Lloyd McClendon said RHP Chris Young (12-7) will start Saturday night as scheduled. "The ball came out good. He's healthy," McClendon said Thursday, a day after Young's regular bullpen session. There were questions about Young's health, and possible fatigue, after he gave up eight runs and 11 hits in 4 1-3 innings his last two starts.
Rangers: Yu Darvish, who hasn't pitched since Aug. 9 because of right elbow inflammation, was evaluated by team physician Dr. Keith Meister. The Rangers expect to have a report on their ace Friday. With only 3 1/2 weeks left, it is likely Darvish will not start another game this season. ... C Robinson Chirinos (stiff neck), who missed his fourth game in a row, and RHP Miles Mikolas (right shoulder) both got injections. Chirinos is day to day and Mikolas will begin a throwing program when his symptoms dissipate.
Hisashi Iwakuma (13-6), who is 8-2 with a 2.35 ERA in his last 12 starts, starts for the Mariners in the second game of the four-game set.
Rangers scheduled starter Scott Baker (3-3) has won his last three appearances (first in relief and then two starts) after pitching in losses in each of his first 20 outings for Texas.
