Arlington, TX -- (Sports Network) - Gerald Laird went 2-for-3 with an RBI and three runs scored as the Texas Rangers upended the Seattle Mariners, 5-2, in the second test of a three-game series at Rangers Ballpark.

Texas starter Kason Gabbard did not earn a decision after giving up two runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings. Josh Rupe (2-1) was credited with the win after his scoreless 1 2/3 innings of relief, while Joaquin Benoit and Eddie Guardado pitched an scoreless inning apiece, the latter earning his first save of the season.

Ramon Vazquez was 2-for-2 with two runs batted in as the Rangers have won seven of their last eight games.

Felix Hernandez (2-4) wiggled out of several jams throughout the game, allowing three runs -- two earned -- on six hits and five walks, while fanning three in a six-inning setback for Seattle, which has fallen in 12 of its last 14 affairs.

The Gabbard-Hernandez pitching match up Thursday, May 8 was highlighted by several bean balls that concluded with Mariners first baseman Richie Sexson charging the mound after Gabbard threw a high, inside pitch that just missed plunking Sexson in the head. Both benches cleared but no punches were thrown. Sexson is currently serving his five-game suspension for the incident, which included throwing his helmet at Gabbard.

After Jose Lopez and Kenji Johjima knocked in Seattle's only runs to tie the game, 2-2, in the sixth, Laird opened the home half with a single and moved to second on Raul Ibanez's fielding error in left.

Chris Shelton sacrificed him to third and Vazquez's fly to left was deep enough for Laird to score standing up for the eventual game-winner.

Texas' Josh Hamilton maintained the one-run lead in the eighth. With a runner on first, the center fielder sprinted to the warning track, felt for the wall with his left hand and timed his jump perfectly at the wall to snag a possible run-scoring hit.

The home team tacked on two insurance runs in the eighth. Wladimir Balentien overran a grounder in right field -- the Mariners' fourth error of the game -- to plate a run, and Ian Kinsler recorded a sacrifice fly to knock in another.

Laird was instrumental in Texas' first two runs. His RBI single in the second inning past a diving Adrian Beltre at third forced in David Murphy for a 1-0 edge. In leading off the fourth, Laird walked, moved to third on Vazquez's single to right, and scored on a Hernandez wild pitch.

Game Notes:

Rangers designated hitter Milton Bradley did not play due to a sore right shoulder...Ichiro Suzuki, 0-for-4 at the plate with a walk, snapped a 12-game hitting streak...On Wednesday, the Rangers look for the sweep with Carlos Silva (3-2) on the hill against the Mariners' Scott Feldman (1-1)...Ibanez and Lopez each had two hits for Seattle, while Murphy recorded two for Texas.