MLB: Seattle 8, Texas 6

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ARLINGTON, Texas, Sept. 15 (UPI) -- Justin Smoak belted a go-ahead homer in the eighth inning Saturday and the Seattle Mariners salvaged an 8-6 victory over Texas.

The Mariners had led 6-0 after 3 1/2 innings, but allowed the Rangers to score the next six runs to tie it up.

Then in the eighth, Tanner Scheppers (1-1) came on to pitch and Smoak smacked a 1-0 pitch over the center field fence for his 15th homer of the year.

The Seattle first baseman added a run-scoring single in the ninth for an insurance run and finished 3-for-4 with three RBI as the Mariners evened their three-game series.

Michael Saunders also knocked in three runs and Dustin Ackley added a solo shot for Seattle.

Lucas Luetge (2-1) earned the decision and Tom Wilhelmsen recorded the final five outs for his 27th save.

Mike Napoli went 2-for-3 with a three-run homer in his return from the disabled list for the American League West-leading Rangers.