"With roughly three weeks left in the playoff race, Torii Hunter realizes every loss stings the Los Angeles Angels. This defeat only hurt a bit less because of the brilliance of the pitcher who delivered it.

Felix Hernandez pitched eight innings of four-hit ball to win at Angel Stadium for the first time since 2006, and the Seattle Mariners snapped a five-game skid with a 2-1 victory over the Angels on Tuesday night.

Alberto Callaspo drove in an unearned run for the Angels, who committed four errors and dropped 3½ games behind Texas in the AL West standings. The loss was just the Angels' second at home since Aug. 17.

The Rangers pounded Tampa Bay 8-0 earlier Tuesday. Los Angeles was a season-high 13 games over .500 after Monday's win over the Mariners, but still faces an uphill climb in the regular season's final three weeks to make the playoffs for the seventh time in 10 seasons.

"Texas is playing good ball, and we're just trying to keep up with those guys, so 3½ games behind is still pretty good right now," Hunter said. "Today we faced Felix Hernandez, and they had (Tampa Bay starter Jeff) Niemann over there, so there's a difference.""