But Clement’s struggles since he was called up – three hits in 23 at-bats with 11 strikeouts – earned him a day off with Texas left-hander Kason Gabbard on the mound Thursday.

“He’s trying to get his feet on the ground,” manager John McLaren said. “They’re making some good pitches on him and he’s pressing, so we’ll let him take a break and catch his breath.”

Clement, who swings left-handed, acknowledged his issues as well McLaren’s reasoning.

“I definitely understand why he did it,” Clement said. “It is what it is. It’s just a matter of getting going. If I do that, then it won’t matter.”

Indeed, McLaren said that had Clement been swinging the bat well, he would have kept him in the lineup even with a left-hander on the mound.

Why?

Well, Clement is a good enough hitter that it doesn’t matter.

Last season in Triple A, Clement actually hit lefties better than righties. He hit .315 (40-for-127) against lefties with 13 doubles, 10 homers and 28 RBI, and .259 (85-for-328) with 22 doubles, 10 homers and 58 RBI against right-handers last season.

“The last couple years I sure have,” he said. “I think my approach is a little bit better mentally going into the box against a lefty. I guess I focus a little more.”

Now Clement’s focus is on finding the same approach that got him to the big leagues.

“You can’t try to analyze too much and change too much,” Clement said. “You have to just stay focused on getting a good pitch to hit and put a good swing on it. There’s not much more I can do than that. As long as I maintain that approach, things will work out in the end.”

Perhaps the only thing that has soured Clement’s otherwise good disposition during this stretch is the 11 strikeouts. He’s never been an all-or-nothing type hitter. Last season, he had just 88 strikeouts in 455 at-bats.

“They bug anybody,” Clement said. “But this (is) by far the most I’ve ever struck out..”

Nothing was worse than striking out Wednesday with runners in scoring position in a 2-0 game.

“It was frustrating last night to come up in a big situation and strike out,” he said.

There was some second-guessing about the calls by home plate umpire Mark Wegner that led to that strikeout. The mild mannered Clement took a second glance and made a comment at the time.

“I watched the tape and they were borderline,” he said. “I thought the last pitch was in. I’m not going to say it was definitely inside. (Vicente Padilla) was controlling his pitches and you’re going to get calls when are doing that and I’m also a rookie, so that’s all there is to that.”

Broussard out of work

About 15 minutes before the game, the Rangers made a series of roster moves.

Texas activated starting pitcher Kason Gabbard, while infielder Travis Metcalfe came off the 15-day disabled list. To make room on the 25-man roster, they sent pitcher A.J. Murray to Triple A Oklahoma City and designated former Mariners infielder Ben Broussard for assignment.

Texas traded for Broussard in the offseason, sending the Mariners infielder Tug Hulett, who is in Triple A Tacoma.

Broussard started opening day at first base for the Rangers and was to be their every day starter, but he struggled at the plate, hitting .159 with three home runs and eight RBI in 26 games.

On tap

Seattle opens a series with the Chicago White Sox with a 7:10 p.m. game today. Right-hander Carlos Silva (3-1, 4.20 ERA) will start for the Mariners, opposed by White Sox right-hander Jose Contreras (2-3, 4.08).

Ryan Divish: 253-597-8483

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