SEATTLE – Based on the way Kevin Millwood has pitched this season, it was just one of those nights. Based on the way the Rangers have attacked left-handed pitching this season, it was another one of those nights.

Making his eighth start, Millwood was ineffective for the first time in a 7-3 loss to Seattle that once again saddled the Rangers with sole possession of the AL's worst record (13-20).

The lineup, on the other hand, continued a trend of struggling against left-handed starters. Jarrod Washburn held the Rangers to one hit through six innings. His calf tightened up in the seventh and the Rangers strung together three hits before Washburn left the game.

When it was over, the Rangers had lost for the sixth time in seven outings against a left-handed starter. It should be pointed out that they led in five of those games at the time the lefty departed, but it wasn't because the starter was ineffective. The Rangers had slim leads in low-scoring games and those leads couldn't stand up to mistakes.

"I don't have any concern about our approaches against lefties," manager Ron Washington said. "Jarrod Washburn is a pretty good pitcher. Sometimes, you get lefties, sometimes you don't."

For the most part, the Rangers haven't gotten them.

The Rangers, who have the fewest wins in the majors against lefties this season, are hitting .245 against them, 10th in the AL. They have averaged three runs in those seven games.

The Rangers tried to put the most right-handers possible in the lineup Monday, using both catchers as starters – Jarrod Saltalamacchia was the DH. Every right-handed hitter on the roster was in the starting lineup.

And still it mounted to nothing.

The Rangers face another lefty Wednesday in Erik Bedard, who beat them 2-1 on opening day. They face lefty Greg Smith on Saturday in Arlington.

While the Rangers foundered against Washburn, the Mariners were beating up on Millwood. He allowed three hits in his first eight pitches, and everything seemed to be hit hard.

Millwood allowed three more hits, all singles, to account for another Seattle run. In the third, the hits got louder. Richie Sexson hit a one-out homer. Rookie Wladimir Balentien hit a two-out, three-run homer.

It was Millwood's 10th consecutive road loss in a stretch of 13 starts, dating to June 28. It set a club record for road futility, eclipsing the mark of nine Millwood had shared with Don Stanhouse (1972-73) and Jamie Moyer (1989-90).

"I don't care where it is, I just want to pitch well," Millwood said.