ARLINGTON, Texas — Pitcher Jon Gray pitched four hits through seven innings, and the Texas Rangers beat the Cleveland Guardians 4-0 on Wednesday night on two-run homers by Marcus Semien and Adris Garcia. , ending the losing streak at 5.
Gray (2-1) threw 94 pitches in 6 1/3 innings, with only one runner getting past first base. Since giving up five runs in 3 2/3 innings in his season debut, he has held opponents to seven earned runs in 48 2/3 innings in eight starts.
The defending World Series champion Rangers (23-22) have never been below .500 since Bruce Bochy took over as manager before last season. It was his 7th win of the year despite a batting average of .500.
Semien hit a home run into the left field seats in the fifth inning, and the ball grazed the glove of a leaping Esteban Florial.
Garcia hit a home run in the sixth inning. Nick Sandlin followed starter Carlos Carrasco (2 wins, 4 losses) and gave a walk to leadoff batter Nathaniel Rowe, after which Garcia hit his club-record 10th home run to left field.
Jose Leclerc, David Robertson and Kirby Yates had six hits.
Texas was tied for first in the AL with 209 points by Wednesday, but lost five straight and was held to just 10 total points.
Gray escaped one jam and put runners on the corners to induce a double play grounder by Josh Naylor to end the sixth inning.
It was the third consecutive win for the top-ranked Guardians (27 wins, 17 losses). They went 8-8 while playing 16 straight days before Thursday’s off day, including 6-5 after losing the league’s leading hitter Stephen Kwan to a hamstring strain. .
trainer room
Parent: Neither OF Tyler Freeman nor SS Brian Rocchio felt any ill effects from the collision during Tuesday night’s game. …RHP Gavin Williams (elbow) will pitch in the bullpen on Friday and is expected to pitch more than he did in Tuesday’s session.
Rangers: RHP Max Scherzer (offseason hip surgery, nerve issues) was placed on the 60-day disabled list on Wednesday and won’t be able to return until May 28. …OF Evan Carter (back injury) has missed five consecutive games.
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Guardians RHP Triston McKenzie (2-3, 3.54 ERA) will face Minnesota RHP Simeon Woods-Richardson (1-0, 3.24 ERA) at home on Friday, with Cleveland wearing a City Connect uniform. debut.
Rangers LHP Andrew Heaney (0-4, 4.39) will open a three-game home series against the Los Angeles Angels and former Texas manager Ron Washington on Friday.
