Another stellar start from Jon Gray leads Rangers past Guardians 4-0 to end 5-game losing streak

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Jon Gray pitched four-hit ball into the seventh inning and the Texas Rangers got two-run homers from Marcus Semien and Adolis García to beat the Cleveland Guardians 4-0 on Wednesday night, stopping a five-game losing streak.

Gray (2-1) allowed only one runner beyond first base while throwing 94 pitches in 6 1/3 innings and lowering his ERA to 2.08. He’s limited opponents to seven earned runs in 48 1/3 innings over eight starts and one cameo relief appearance since giving up five runs in 3 2/3 innings during his season debut.

“I think the best comes out of me when times are tough right now, and I think that’s important for a starting pitcher,” said Gray, supported by two runs or fewer in seven of his previous eight starts. “That’s why we were so good last year.”

The defending World Series champion Rangers (23-22) have never been under .500 since Bruce Bochy became their manager before last season. This was their seventh victory this year while at .500.

Semien drilled his fifth-inning home run to left field, where the ball grazed the glove of a leaping Estevan Florial. The drive came two pitches after first baseman Josh Naylor barely missed catching a foul ball sliced far down the right-field line.

“That’s not a play we expect to get made,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. “It’s one of those ‘Wow!’ when it gets made.”

García homered for the second consecutive night, in the sixth. Nick Sandlin followed starter Carlos Carrasco (2-4) by walking leadoff batter Nathaniel Lowe before García hit his club-best 10th homer to left.

José Leclerc, David Robertson and Kirby Yates completed the six-hitter.

Texas, tied for first in the AL with 209 runs going into Wednesday, was held to 10 total runs in its five straight losses.

Gray escaped one jam, inducing a double-play grounder from Naylor with runners at the corners to end the sixth.

The first-place Guardians (27-17) had won three in a row. They went 8-8 and won three of five series while playing 16 straight days going into Thursday’s off day, including 6-5 after losing Steven Kwan, the league’s leading hitter, to a hamstring strain.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Guardians: Neither OF Tyler Freeman nor SS Brayan Rocchio felt any ill effects from their collision during Tuesday night’s game. … RHP Gavin Williams (elbow) will throw a bullpen on Friday, making more pitches than in his Tuesday session.

Rangers: RHP Max Scherzer (offseason back surgery, nerve issue) can’t return before May 28 after being moved to the 60-day injured list Wednesday. … OF Evan Carter (lower back soreness) missed his fifth consecutive game.

UP NEXT

Guardians RHP Triston McKenzie (2-3, 3.54 ERA) will pitch at home Friday against Minnesota RHP Simeon Woods Richardson (1-0, 3.24) as Cleveland debuts its City Connect uniforms.

Rangers LHP Andrew Heaney (0-4, 4.39 ERA) will open a three-game home series against the Los Angeles Angels and former Texas manager Ron Washington on Friday.

A previous version of this story has been corrected to show that Gray has allowed seven earned runs in his last 48 1/3 innings over eight starts and one relief appearance instead of 48 2/3 innings over eight starts.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Rhett Miller reacts to applause after singing the national anthem before a baseball game between the Cleveland Guardians and Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, May 15, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Cleveland Guardians pitcher Carlos Carrasco throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, May 15, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco, right, watches as the home run hit by Texas Rangers' Marcus Semien clears the fence during the fifth inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Rangers Leody Taveras also scored on the play. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Texas Rangers second base Marcus Semien fields an infield grounder for the out at first base against Cleveland Guardians' Gabriel Arias during the second inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, May 15, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Cleveland Guardians pitcher Carlos Carrasco throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, May 15, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Texas Rangers' Corey Seager (5) is caught out by Cleveland Guardians catcher Austin Hedges, left, for a bases loaded double play ending the fourth inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, May 15, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Texas Rangers closer pitcher Kirby Yates (39) gets a congratulations from teammate catcher Jonah Heim after the final out of the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, May 15, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy, left, congratulates Adolis García (53) after he hit a home run that also scored teammate Jonah Heim during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, May 15, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Texas Rangers' Marcus Semien, left, and Cleveland Guardians catcher Austin Hedges watch Semien's home run get away during the fifth inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Rangers Leody Taveras also scored on the play. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Texas Rangers pitcher Jon Gray throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, May 15, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

NEW YORK (AP) — Outfielder Juan Soto, pitchers Corbin Burnes, Walker Buehler and Max Fried and first baseman Pete Alonso were among 136 players who became free agents Thursday morning.

Third baseman Alex Bregman, outfielder Anthony Santander and shortstop Willy Adames also went free.

There were 64 more players with pending option decisions who could become free agents by Monday, the fifth day after the World Series.

Teams and players can start discussing contract terms at 5:01 p.m. EST on Monday, after the deadline for teams to make $21.05 million qualifying offers to eligible free agents.

Pitcher Justin Verlander became a free agent after he failed to pitch 140 innings this year, the amount that would have triggered his ability to exercise a $35 million conditional player option. If he had exercised the option, the New York Mets would have been obligated to give an additional $17.5 million to Houston as part of last year's trade that sent the three-time Cy Young Award winner back to the Astros.

St. Louis declined options on three right-handed pitchers, Kyle Gibson ($12 million), Lance Lynn ($10 million) and Keynan Middleton ($6 million). Each gets a $1 million buyout.

Milwaukee said a $12 million mutual option had been declined on pitcher Wade Miley, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery last May.

Among those with pending club options are Atlanta designated hitter Marcell Ozuna ($16 million), and Yankees third baseman Anthony Rizzo ($17 million) and reliever Luke Weaver ($2.5 million).

Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole can opt out of his contract but the team can void the opt out by adding a $36 million salary for 2029.

Those with player options include pitchers Blake Snell of San Francisco ($30 million, of which $15 million would be deferred), Nick Martinez of Cincinnati ($12 million), Sean Manaea of the New York Mets ($13.5 million), Jordan Montgomery of Arizona ($22.5 million), Nathan Eovaldi of Texas ($20 million) and Michael Wacha of Kansas City ($16 million), along with Chicago Cubs first baseman/outfielder Cody Bellinger ($27.5 million).

Snell and Flaherty are ineligible for the qualifying offers. A free agent can be made a qualifying offer only if he has been with the same team continuously since opening day and has never received a qualifying offer before.

Qualifying offers began after the 2012 season, and only 13 of 131 offers have been accepted.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler celebrates after the Dodgers beat the New York Yankees in Game 5 to win the baseball World Series, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

New York Yankees' Juan Soto celebrates after hitting a three-run home run against the Cleveland Guardians during the 10th inning in Game 5 of the baseball AL Championship Series Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Cleveland. The Yankees won 5-2 to advance to the World Series. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)