Adrian Beltre got the best of friend and former teammate Felix Hernandez, hitting a two-strike pitch for a two-run homer in the fourth inning and propelling the Texas Rangers to a 3-0 win over the Seattle Mariners on Sunday.

Beltre lined his 27th homer of the season into the bullpens in left field, then playfully jawed with Hernandez (14-13) as he approached home plate. It was just Beltre's second hit of the three-game series, both home runs.

Matt Harrison (13-9) won his third straight start, striking out a career-high nine in 6 2-3 shutout innings.

"We pitched well in those games, that's the key," second baseman Ian Kinsler told MLB.com. "If we can hold the other team down, it gives our offense a chance to get into the game and scratch out some runs. Harry did an unbelievable job and the bullpen shut it down. That's how you draw it up."

It was an important victory for Texas, remaining 4½ games ahead of the Los Angeles Angels in the AL West after the Angels beat Baltimore earlier Sunday. After an off day Monday, the Rangers open a three-game series in Oakland.

Information from the Associated Press used in this report

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