Darvish, Beltran lead Rangers to 6-3 win over Mariners
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) _ Yu Darvish struck out nine in 6 2/3 innings and CarlosBeltran homered among three hits, helping the Texas Rangers beat the SeattleMariners 6-3 on Monday night.
The American League-leading Rangers won the first of six straight games at homeagainst the two teams chasing them in the AL West and dropped the Mariners intothird place, a game behind Houston and 9 1/2 back of Texas.
Darvish (5-3) easily outpitched fellow Japanese right-hander Hisashi Iwakumafor his third straight win, leaving to a standing ovation with a 6-1 lead in theseventh after throwing 110 pitches, the most since his return from Tommy Johnsurgery.
Sam Dyson struck out two in a perfect ninth for his 30th save, giving Texas 13strikeouts.
Iwakuma (14-10) lost his third straight start while matching his shortestouting of the season at three innings.
Astros’ Musgrove, relievers combine to 4-hit A’s in 6-0 win
HOUSTON (AP) _ Jose Altuve homered, Joe Musgrove and three relievers combinedon a four-hitter and the Houston Astros beat the Oakland Athletics 6-0 on Mondaynight.
Musgrove (2-2) struck out seven, walked three and allowed three hits over 5 1/3innings, and then Luke Gregerson, Pat Neshek and Brad Peacock closed things out.Musgrove had allowed 13 runs over his last two starts.
Houston closed within two games of the second AL wild card with the win andBaltimore’s loss.
A’s starter Sean Manaea (5-9) left after 3 1/3 innings with a right rhomboidstrain.
Altuve hit his second homer in two games to lead off the sixth and extendHouston’s lead to 3-0.
Alex Bregman hit a two-run single and Carlos Correa had an RBI single as partof a three-run seventh.