The Texas Rangers hoped to rub shoulders with the dynastic turn-of-the-century New York Yankees in an exclusive club that few modern-era teams have been allowed into when they left Surprise, Ariz. in March and set off on their first-ever World Series defense season.

Texas rallied with two runs in the bottom of the inning to pull to within 5-4, but the Mariners pulled away with three runs in the ninth against Walter Pennington, who allowed a double, a triple and a hit a batter left with two outs and two on before Rodriguez's two-run single against Gerson Garabito made it 8-4.

This is the 24th season in a row that there will not be a repeat World Series champion. The reigning champion Texas Rangers won't even be in the playoffs.