The Rangers decided to cut the cord on the Ben Broussard experiment Thursday and designated him for assignment just before game time.

The club has 10 days to trade or release Broussard -- if he clears waivers. Since a team would have to pick up the rest of Broussard's $3.85 million contract if it claims him, it's unlikely he would be claimed.

Broussard was hitting .159 with three homers. All three homers came in the first week of the season. He didn't have an extra base hit since then. He had gone from being the everyday first baseman to a platoon player to the bench in just five weeks. The Rangers have decided to go with Frank Catalanotto against right-handed pitching and Chris Shelton against lefties. The Rangers have now cut their two Opening Day first baseman, Broussard and Jason Botts (who has been reassigned to Class AAA Oklahoma).

The move would probably have been made next week when outfielder Marlon Byrd returns from the disabled list, but with shortstop Michael Young dealing with a balky hip and out of the lineup Thursday, the Rangers decided to activate third baseman Travis Metcalf as infield insurance.

"Ben is a better player than he's shown here," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said. "I expect he'll produce elsewhere. But we've found a mix that works for us right now. This was probably going to happen at some point. He's just had a very rough month at an unfortunate time."

RANGERS 5, MARINERS 0: In a game marred by a bench-clearing incident, the Rangers pitched their second consecutive shutout and extended their streak of scoreless innings pitched to 22. They also finished their seven-game West Coast road trip with a 5-2 record and have won nine of their last 13.

The brawl, however, took center stage. It took place in the fourth inning after Seattle's Felix Hernandez hit two Rangers. The latter of those two, Ian Kinsler, was hit in his next at-bat after homering. When Kason Gabbard was high with a fastball to Seattle's Richie Sexson in the bottom of the inning, the large first baseman charged the mound. Sexson, who was ejected, threw his helmet at Gabbard as he was running to the mound.

"I thought that was bull," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "What is he, 6-(foot)-13? That's just frustration. He overreacted."

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