The Texas Rangers continued their impressive form with a dominant 10-0 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday night, clinching the first three games of the four-game series.
Nathaniel Lowe and Mitch Garver played pivotal roles for the Rangers, each hitting three-run homers. Robbie Grossman added a two-run homer to complete the Rangers’ offensive onslaught. Jonah Heim also contributed with an RBI single, tallying seven RBIs in the series.
The Rangers (81-64) have surged ahead in the American League wild card race, now holding a 1.5-game lead over the Blue Jays (80-66). Their latest victory extends their winning streak to five games.
Left-hander Jordan Montgomery (9-11) delivered an outstanding performance for the Rangers, pitching seven scoreless innings. Montgomery allowed just four hits, did not allow a runner past second base, walked one, and struck out three.
On the other side, Blue Jays left-hander Yusei Kikuchi (9-6) had a tough outing, conceding six runs on five hits and two walks in five innings.
The Rangers took control of the game with a four-run fourth inning. Corey Seager led off with a walk, followed by Grossman’s single. Heim added an RBI single, setting the stage for Nathaniel Lowe’s 16th home run of the season with a blast to center.
In the fifth inning, the Rangers added two more runs as Seager singled, and Grossman launched his 10th homer of the season to left.
The Rangers continued to pile on the runs in the sixth inning, adding another against Bowden Francis. Lowe singled, advanced to second on pinch hitter Josh H. Smith’s two-out single, and scored on Evan Carter’s single. Smith was thrown out trying to reach third on the play.
In the eighth inning, Martin Perez took over for Montgomery and efficiently navigated the Blue Jays lineup, avoiding any damage with a double-play grounder.
Mitch Garver sealed the victory for the Rangers with a three-run homer, his 17th of the season, in the top of the ninth inning against Chad Green.
Ian Kennedy secured the shutout with a perfect bottom of the ninth inning for the Rangers.
The Rangers also made a significant roster move, placing right-hander Max Scherzer on the Injured List due to a teres major muscle strain. They recalled right-hander Jonathan Hernandez from Triple-A Round Rock to fill the roster spot. Scherzer’s season is over, and his availability for the postseason remains uncertain after leaving his start with triceps spasms on Tuesday in Toronto.
