SEATTLE – Sunday's finale came to a fitting conclusion for the Rangers.

They were edged by the Seattle Mariners, 4-3, bringing the end to a season of heightened expectations, a playoff push until the season's final month and near misses.

"We certainly put our name out there," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "We proved we could pitch in Texas. We proved to ourselves we could catch the baseball. Now we just have to get more consistent."

One of those who proved he could pitch was right-hander Scott Feldman. He was on the mound Sunday bidding for his 18th victory. The bid was denied as he allowed four runs in six innings.

He had a chance for a 20-win season until he lost his final three starts. Still, he finished his breakout season 17-8 with a 4.08 ERA.

Now he's got to take the next step and prove he's a top of the rotation starter in the majors.

"Obviously if someone would have told me in the first couple of the weeks when I was in the bullpen that at the end of the year I'd have 17 wins, I'd be pretty excited," he said. "I wish I could have ended up on a little bit of a stronger note the last few starts. Overall it was a good season and something good to build on for next year, knowing I've got a good foundation to work on and try to improve."

Sunday's outing was derailed by one bad inning. After the Rangers tied the score at 1-1 in the top of the fifth, Seattle was able to strike for four hits in the bottom of the inning and scored three times.

It made the 4-1 lead hold up behind Felix Hernandez (19-5), who allowed three runs in 6 2/3 innings. The Rangers scored twice off Hernandez in the seventh but could get no closer.

Run production down: The Rangers scored 784 runs. It was the first time they scored less than 800 runs since 1995. They finished 10th in the American League in batting average.

End of the road for Blalock: Hank Blalock didn't get nostalgic about what was probably his last game in a Rangers uniform. After missing three games because of a mild concussion, he started at first base and went 0-for-3.

"It wasn't weird," he said. "As the season was winding down, I saw the end coming. I'm not too sentimental about most things. I was drafted by this organization in 1999, and it was the only uniform I've ever put on."

Blalock finished the year with 25 homers and 66 RBIs.

Griffey celebration: Ken Griffey Jr. played what may have been the last game of his career. He singled off C.J. Wilson in his final at-bat and was carried off the field after the game.

Briefly: Third baseman Michael Young missed the season finale as he flew home Sunday morning to be with his wife Cristina. She is pregnant, and they are expecting their second child. ... Outfielder Marlon Byrd (sore hip), who finished as the team's RBI leader with 89, also didn't play.