ARLINGTON, Texas — Jake Burger homered and drove in three runs Friday night as the Texas Rangers opened a crucial four-game American League West series with a 5-4 victory over the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.
Burger gave Texas an early lead with a two-run home run in the fourth inning before delivering the go-ahead RBI single during a two-run sixth inning.
Wyatt Langford also homered for the Rangers, who capitalized on a Mariners defensive miscue later in the inning to add an insurance run.
Starter MacKenzie Gore allowed three runs on six hits over five innings while striking out five.
Peyton Gray earned the victory with a scoreless inning of relief, and All-Star closer Jacob Latz recorded his 20th save despite allowing a run in the ninth.
Seattle erased an early deficit behind Dominic Canzone’s two-run double, tying the game at 3-3 before Texas answered in the sixth.
Burger’s RBI single put the Rangers back in front, and Seattle’s inability to field a bunt cleanly allowed another run to score.
The victory improved Texas to 52-51 and moved the Rangers 1½ games ahead of Seattle in the tightly contested American League West.
The win also provided momentum as Texas continues its push in the second half of the season.
The four-game series continues Saturday at 6:15 p.m. CDT at Globe Life Field.
Right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (9-8, 4.21 ERA) is scheduled to start for Texas against Seattle right-hander Bryan Woo (7-6, 4.16 ERA). The game will be televised nationally on FOX.
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