The Texas Rangers are now in first place in the American League West Division after pulling off an impressive four-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays.
Guess who's in first place in the American League West Division? That's right, it's the Texas Rangers.
Sure, discussions involving the AL West might not be too impressive, but the fact that the Rangers are in first place over the struggling Seattle Mariners is simply amazing. Texas beat the Toronto Blue Jays 3-2 at Rogers Centre in Toronto.
A wild pitch allowed Rangers pinch-runner Jarred Kelenic to score the game-winning run in the top of the ninth inning. Kalenic came on after Josh Jung connected with a two-out double.
In looking at the way that Texas won this series, it wasn't with a big run total in all four games. But the Rangers found ways to win.
Rangers starting pitcher Kumar Rocker was really impressive in six innings of work. Rocker threw six four-hit innings, walked one, and struck out five. He, though, was not involved in the decision. Reliever Cole Winn allowed two runs in his two innings of work, but did just enough to get the win. He also suffered his first blown save this season.
Tyler Alexander worked a clean ninth inning for his fourth save of the season.
Louis Varland Gives Up Game-Winning Run
Blue Jays starter Shane Bieber worked 5.1 innings, giving up five hits, two earned runs, walked four, struck out four, and allowed a home run. Reliever Louis Varland gave up the go-ahead run, falling to 3-3 this season.
Here's how the AL West looks right now after the Rangers' win. Texas is in first place, a half-game ahead of the Mariners. The Houston Astros are in third place, one game behind Texas, while the Athletics are 1.5 games behind.
Don't worry about the Los Angeles Angels at this time. They are seven games out of first place and don't seem to be trending upward to get into the conversation at all.
Joc Pederson got the scoring started for the Rangers with his 13th home run, a solo blast over the right-field wall at Rogers Centre. In the sixth inning, Brandon Nimmo led off with a walk. With one out, Ezequiel Duran singled to center to put two runners on base. Justin Foscue walked to load up the bases.
Elias Diaz singled to center, scoring Nimmo and giving Texas a 2-0 lead.
But the Blue Jays responded with two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. George Springer hit a one-out single, then Nathan Lukes hit his fourth homer this season. Springer scored ahead of Lukes and that tied the game at 2-2.
Ninth-Inning Run Puts Rangers in First Place
All of this set up Texas scoring that game-winning run and getting out of Toronto with that four-game sweep.
It was an impressive series for the Rangers, who sent the Blue Jays to their sixth straight loss.
Texas is at .500 right now at 42-42. The team now heads to Cleveland, where it will start a three-game series against the Cleveland Guardians on Monday night.
For now, though, Rangers manager Skip Schumaker, his coaching staff, and the players all can enjoy that plane ride. The Rangers, ladies and gentlemen, are at the top of the heap in the AL West.
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