12 Ks for Ray, 12 Ws in row for M's after 4-3 win in Texas
Robbie Ray struck out 12 without a walk over 6 2/3 innings, rookie All-Star center fielder Julio Rodrรญguez hit a grand slam and the Seattle Mariners have their longest winning streak in more than two decades, beating the Texas Rangers 8-3 for their 12th win in a row.
Astros to playoffs with losing record after loss to Texas
ARLINGTON, Texas โ The Houston Astros are going into the playoffs with a losing record after Rougned Odor homered twice Sunday for Texas in an 8-4 win, the third in a row for the Rangers over the defending American League champions. Odor had a three-run homer before rookie center fielder Leody Taveras' two-run single in the fourth, the second game in a row Texas had a five-run inning. Houston and the Milwaukee Brewers โ also 29-31 โ are the first teams to ever qualify for the postseason with losing records. They instead finished at .367, better than only their 1972 and 1973 teams โ their first two seasons in Texas. Oakland ended Houston's three-year reign as AL West champs, during which the Astros won the 2017 World Series.
Dodgers set NL homer mark for month at 57, beat Rangers 7-2
(AP Photo/Roger Steinman)ARLINGTON, Texas Cody Bellinger and the Los Angeles Dodgers set the National League record for home runs in a month. Bellinger's two-run homer gave the Dodgers 57 long balls in August after solo shots from Corey Seager and Will Smith, and LA beat the Texas Rangers 7-2 on Sunday. They now have 12 straight series victories to start the season tied for the fifth-best season-opening run since 1969. The 1990 Cincinnati Reds have the record with 17 straight series wins to start the year. ... 2B Rougned Odor missed his sixth straight game with a right eye infection.
Rangers activate Martin from virus IL, Kluber to 45-day IL
ARLINGTON, Texas Texas Rangers left-hander Brett Martin has been activated from the injured list after missing the start of the season because of a positive coronavirus test. Kluber, who exited his start Sunday after one inning, had a platelet-rich plasma injection and returned to his home in the Boston area. The Rangers also recalled outfielder Adolis Garca and optioned outfielder Leody Taveras, one of their top prospects, to the alternate training site. Martin, already at higher risk for COVID-19 because he has Type 1 diabetes, experienced mild symptoms of the disease including congestion and fatigue. Manager Chris Woodward said Martin threw a two-inning simulated game Monday and would likely be ready to pitch in a game as early as Wednesday.