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Nationals' Trevor Williams, four relievers combine to blank Rangers 1-0

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Nationals' Trevor Williams, four relievers combine to blank Rangers 1-0
Sport

Sport

Nationals' Trevor Williams, four relievers combine to blank Rangers 1-0

2024-05-02 11:23 Last Updated At:11:30

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Trevor Williams escaped two bases-loaded, none-out jams while pitching five scoreless innings, four relievers finished off Washington’s shutout and Alex Call singled home the game’s only run as the Nationals beat the Texas Rangers 1-0 on Wednesday night.

Washington (15-15) recorded its third shutout of the season, all since April 17, and has a chance to move above .500 for the first time since July 1, 2021.

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Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams, left, turns a double play over a sliding Texas Rangers' Wyatt Langford, right, during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. Jonah Heim was out at first on the play. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Trevor Williams escaped two bases-loaded, none-out jams while pitching five scoreless innings, four relievers finished off Washington’s shutout and Alex Call singled home the game’s only run as the Nationals beat the Texas Rangers 1-0 on Wednesday night.

Texas Rangers' Adolis García advances to third base on a single by Josh Smith during the second inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

Texas Rangers' Adolis García advances to third base on a single by Josh Smith during the second inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

Washington Nationals' Jesse Winker, right, points to the strike zone after being called out on strikes by home plate umpire Edwin Jimenez, left, during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

Washington Nationals' Jesse Winker, right, points to the strike zone after being called out on strikes by home plate umpire Edwin Jimenez, left, during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams pulls his hat down as he walks onto the field before a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams pulls his hat down as he walks onto the field before a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams walks through the dugout before a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams walks through the dugout before a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

Washington Nationals' Alex Call, bottom, slides into second as Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager, top, throws to first for a double play during the second inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

Washington Nationals' Alex Call, bottom, slides into second as Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager, top, throws to first for a double play during the second inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Andrew Heaney delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Andrew Heaney delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

Washington Nationals' Ildemaro Vargas, right, runs to the dugout past Riley Adams (15) after Vargas scored on a single by Alex Call during the second inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

Washington Nationals' Ildemaro Vargas, right, runs to the dugout past Riley Adams (15) after Vargas scored on a single by Alex Call during the second inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

Washington Nationals' Ildemaro Vargas celebrates with his teammates int he dugout after he scored on a single by Alex Call during the second inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

Washington Nationals' Ildemaro Vargas celebrates with his teammates int he dugout after he scored on a single by Alex Call during the second inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Trevor Williams delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Trevor Williams delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

After allowing three consecutive singles to open Texas’ second inning, Williams (3-0) recorded three outs on eight pitches.

Two singles and a walk loaded the bases for the Rangers again in the fifth. Williams again got the first out on a force at the plate. He then struck out Adolis García, who entered hitting .423 with runners in scoring position, and retired Evan Carter on popup to shallow center.

“Believe it or not, I’ve been there before,” Williams said. “Your thought process is one pitch at a time. You just trust that as a pitcher no matter what, you have the advantage.”

Call hit a sharp single to left field in the second against Andrew Heaney (0-4) to score Ildemaro Vargas, who preceded him with a one-out double off the wall in left-center. Call was recalled from Triple-A Rochester on Saturday when Joey Gallo was placed on the 10-day injured list.

Derek Law, Dylan Floro and Hunter Harvey followed Williams before Kyle Finnegan struck out all three batters he faced in the ninth for his 10th save in 11 chances.

The game ended on a swinging strike three by Corey Seager, his bat flying toward Texas’ dugout. Seager, last year’s World Series MVP, went 0 for 4 and is 3 for 37 in his last 10 games lowering his batting average to .227.

The Nats left one on base. Vargas’ double was the game’s only extra-base hit.

It was the defending World Series champions’ second 1-0 loss this season, the other against Oakland on April 11, also at home.

García also struck out with runners on first and second to end the seventh.

The Rangers (16-15) were 1 for 9 with runners in scoring position and left 11 men on base.

“We just couldn’t get the hit, and we couldn’t get a productive out there,” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said. “You’re not going to see that very often when you create that many opportunities.”

Williams is 3-0 for the first time since 2018, when he finished with a career-high 14 wins for Pittsburgh. He struck out three and walked four.

Williams continued his streak of not allowing a home run this season against a Texas team that had hit multiple homers in its previous six games. He gave up a career-high 34 homers last season.

Heaney pitched a season-high seven innings, allowing one run on four hits. He walked none and struck out four while losing his first four decisions for the first time in his career.

Texas’ Josh Smith extended his on-base streak to 18 games with a first-inning single.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Nationals: OF Victor Robles (left hamstring strain) went 1 for 3 during a rehab start for Rochester.

Rangers: There’s still no date for RHP Max Scherzer’s second rehab start after he was scratched from one Tuesday with a sore thumb.

UP NEXT

Thursday’s series finale will match Nationals rookie LHP Mitchell Parker (2-0, 1.69 ERA) against Rangers RHP Nathan Eovaldi (1-2, 3.00).

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

Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams, left, turns a double play over a sliding Texas Rangers' Wyatt Langford, right, during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. Jonah Heim was out at first on the play. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams, left, turns a double play over a sliding Texas Rangers' Wyatt Langford, right, during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. Jonah Heim was out at first on the play. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

Texas Rangers' Adolis García advances to third base on a single by Josh Smith during the second inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

Texas Rangers' Adolis García advances to third base on a single by Josh Smith during the second inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

Washington Nationals' Jesse Winker, right, points to the strike zone after being called out on strikes by home plate umpire Edwin Jimenez, left, during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

Washington Nationals' Jesse Winker, right, points to the strike zone after being called out on strikes by home plate umpire Edwin Jimenez, left, during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams pulls his hat down as he walks onto the field before a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams pulls his hat down as he walks onto the field before a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams walks through the dugout before a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams walks through the dugout before a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

Washington Nationals' Alex Call, bottom, slides into second as Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager, top, throws to first for a double play during the second inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

Washington Nationals' Alex Call, bottom, slides into second as Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager, top, throws to first for a double play during the second inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Andrew Heaney delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Andrew Heaney delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

Washington Nationals' Ildemaro Vargas, right, runs to the dugout past Riley Adams (15) after Vargas scored on a single by Alex Call during the second inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

Washington Nationals' Ildemaro Vargas, right, runs to the dugout past Riley Adams (15) after Vargas scored on a single by Alex Call during the second inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

Washington Nationals' Ildemaro Vargas celebrates with his teammates int he dugout after he scored on a single by Alex Call during the second inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

Washington Nationals' Ildemaro Vargas celebrates with his teammates int he dugout after he scored on a single by Alex Call during the second inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Trevor Williams delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Trevor Williams delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

HOUSTON (AP) — Fast-moving thunderstorms pummeled southeastern Texas on Thursday for the second time this month, killing at least four people, blowing out windows in high-rise buildings, downing trees and knocking out power to more than 850,000 homes and businesses in the Houston area.

Officials urged residents to keep off roads, as many were impassable and traffic lights were expected to be out for much of the night.

“Stay at home tonight, do not go to work tomorrow, unless you’re an essential worker. Stay home, take care of your children,” Houston Mayor John Whitmire said in an evening briefing. “Our first responders will be working around the clock.”

The mayor said four people died. At least two of the deaths were caused by falling trees, and another happened when a crane blew over in strong winds, officials said.

Streets were flooded, and trees and power lines were down across the region. Whitmire said wind speeds reached 100 mph (160 kph), “with some twisters.”

Hundreds of windows were shattered at downtown hotels and office buildings, with glass littering the streets below, and the state was sending Department of Public Safety officers to secure the area.

“Downtown is a mess,” Whitmire said.

There was a backlog of 911 calls that first responders were working through, he added.

The storm system moved through swiftly, but flood watches and warnings remained for Houston and areas to the east.

Flights were briefly grounded at Houston's two major airports. Sustained winds topping 60 mph (96 kph) were recorded at Bush Intercontinental Airport.

About 855,000 customers were without electricity in and around Harris County, which contains Houston, according to poweroutage.us. The county is home to more than 4.7 million people.

The problems extended to the city's suburbs, with emergency officials in neighboring Montgomery County describing the damage to transmission lines as “catastrophic” and warning that power could be impacted for several days.

The Houston Independent School District canceled classes Friday for all its 274 campuses.

Heavy storms slammed the region during the first week of May, leading to numerous high-water rescues, including some from the rooftops of flooded homes.

A boy walks past a large tree that fell on a home after heavy wind and rain ripped through the region Thursday, May 16, 2024, in Houston. (Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle via AP)

A boy walks past a large tree that fell on a home after heavy wind and rain ripped through the region Thursday, May 16, 2024, in Houston. (Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle via AP)

Transmission power lines are down near the Grand Parkway and West Road after a storm Thursday, May 16, 2024, in Cypress, Texas. (Melissa Phillip/Houston Chronicle via AP)

Transmission power lines are down near the Grand Parkway and West Road after a storm Thursday, May 16, 2024, in Cypress, Texas. (Melissa Phillip/Houston Chronicle via AP)

Transmission power lines are down near the Grand Parkway and West Road after a storm Thursday, May 16, 2024, in Cypress, Texas. (Melissa Phillip/Houston Chronicle via AP)

Transmission power lines are down near the Grand Parkway and West Road after a storm Thursday, May 16, 2024, in Cypress, Texas. (Melissa Phillip/Houston Chronicle via AP)

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