MLB: Rangers win series against Mariners, lead AL West

Joc Pederson homered in each of the first two innings as the Texas Rangers defeated the Seattle Mariners 7-3 in an American League West showdown on Monday afternoon in Arlington, Texas.

The Rangers won three of four games in the series against the defending division champions, moving 2 1/2 games ahead of the Mariners for the top spot in the AL West.

Ezequiel Duran and Jake Burger added back-to-back home runs in the third inning for Texas, while Brandon Nimmo hit two doubles and Evan Carter contributed another as seven of the Rangers’ 11 hits went for extra bases.

Randy Arozarena hit a home run for the Mariners, who have lost five of their last six games. Seattle will next travel to Los Angeles for a three-game series against the reigning World Series champion Dodgers.

Rangers right-hander Kumar Rocker (4-8) delivered a strong outing, pitching 6 2/3 innings while allowing two runs on four hits. He struck out seven batters and issued two walks.

Mariners starter George Kirby (8-9), who entered the game with a 9-1 record and a 1.33 ERA in 12 previous starts against the Rangers, struggled against Texas’ offense. The right-hander surrendered all four home runs, matching a career high, and lasted only four innings while allowing seven runs on seven hits.

Pederson opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning with a 418-foot home run to left-center field.

Seattle responded in the second inning when Arozarena hit a solo shot to right-center field that narrowly avoided Carter’s attempt at a catch.

The Rangers quickly regained control in the bottom half of the inning. Nicky Lopez reached on an infield single, and Elias Diaz was hit by a pitch before Pederson launched his second home run of the game down the right-field line to give Texas a 4-1 lead.

The Mariners cut into the deficit in the third inning after Colt Emerson and Cole Young opened the frame with singles, allowing Julio Rodriguez to bring home a run with a sacrifice fly.

Texas answered immediately as Duran hit a solo home run to left-center. Carter followed with a double and later stole third base before Burger hit a two-run homer over the left-center field wall to extend the Rangers’ lead to 7-2.

The score remained unchanged until the ninth inning, when Josh Naylor led off with a double, advanced to third on Mitch Garver’s single and scored on J.P. Crawford’s sacrifice fly.

With the victory, the Rangers strengthened their position atop the AL West, while the Mariners continued their recent slide. -Field Level Media/Reuters