Rangers 8, Mariners 3: A.J. Pierzynski smacked a three-run homer and Alex Rios had a two-run single as visiting Texas beat Seattle in the opener of a three-game set.

Elvis Andrus went 3-for-5 and Travis Blackley (2-1) gave up three runs and five hits in six innings as the Rangers snapped a two-game skid. The victory allowed Texas to maintain its 2 1/2-game lead over the Oakland Athletics in the American League West.

The Rangers held a one-run lead in the seventh when Ian Kinsler hit a two-out double and Adrian Beltre was intentionally walked. Pierzynski followed with a smash to right field off Joe Saunders (10-13) to make it 7-3 and Mitch Moreland added an eighth-inning homer off reliever Yoervis Medina.

Rios’ single gave Texas a two-run lead in the opening inning before Seattle’s Brad Miller tied the contest with a two-run single in the third. A fielder’s choice by Jurickson Profar and Andrus’ RBI single gave the Rangers a 4-2 lead in the fourth before Kyle Seager hit his 20th homer in the bottom of the frame to pull the Mariners within one.

Saunders (10-13) allowed seven runs and nine hits in seven innings while losing for the fifth time in six decisions. The Mariners have lost four consecutive games.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Seager is batting .400 with five homers in 70 at-bats against Texas this season. … Rangers OF Leonys Martin (ankle) missed his second straight game. … The Mariners designated RHP Aaron Harang for assignment and activated OF Franklin Gutierrez from the disabled list. Gutierrez started in right field and went 0-for-4.