Rangers Blast By Mariners

After setting a team record with 95 wins, the Texas Rangers have loftier goals.

"These are things you like to grasp on the way to the bigger prize at the end," Rangers manager Johnny Oates said after Thursday's 7-0 win over the Seattle Mariners. "This is the best club I've had in my nine years as a manager. When I came here I knew the team record for wins was 94 and I wanted to surpass it."

John Burkett combined with three relievers on a four-hitter as the AL West champions (95-64) topped the previous team record for wins, set in 1977 when the Rangers were 94-68.

Texas completes the regular season with a three-game series at Anaheim starting Friday night.

"It's not over," second baseman Mark McLemore said. "We're very confident. We've still got something to accomplish."

Texas will make its third playoff appearances in four years, playing the Yankees or Boston. They were been knocked out in the first round by the Yankees in 1996 and last year.

"This is a better team than last year," Oates said. "We've got more experience, we've got the threat of Rafael Palmeiro's bat in the middle of the lineup, and our bullpen can get us to John Wetteland. I like our chances."

Burkett (9-8) improved to 5-1 in his last seven starts, allowing three hits in six innings. Tim Crabtree, Jeff Zimmerman and Mike Venafro combined on one-hit relief, completing the Rangers' ninth shutout of the season.

Burkett moved above .500 for the first time since he was 4-3 on May 27, 1997, and Oates said he could start against the Yankees if there's a Game 5 in the first round.

Aaron Sele, Rick Helling and Esteban Loaiza already have been slotted as the Rangers' top three starters.

"They definitely deserve those nods," Burkett said. "I just hope I've earned some consideration."

Tom Goodwin had three hits and two RBIs, Lee Stevens and Ivan Rodriguez each drove in two runs, and Juan Gonzalez hit his 39th homer.

Seattle's Ken Griffey Jr. remained two homers short of becoming the youngest player to hit 400 home runs in major league history. He has not homered since Sept. 22.

Brett Hinchliffe (0-4), making his first start since May 10 and the fourth of his career, gave up four runs, four hits and six walks in five-plus innings.

"I walked a few guys but pitched out of some jams," said Hinchliffe, still seeking his first major league win. "They're free swingers."

Stevens hit his 24th homer in the second and Gonzalez homered in the third. Goodwin's RBI single and Rodriguez's two-run single made it 5-0 in the sixth. Stevens added a run-scoring double in the seventh and Goodwin singled in a run.

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