Jacob deGrom strikes out 8 to lead Rangers over Red Sox 4-2 in series between playoff contenders

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Jacob deGrom struck out eight in five innings, Corey Seager had a two-run single and the Texas Rangers beat the Boston Red Sox 4-2 on Tuesday night in a series opener between playoff contenders.

All-Star closer Jacob Latz, the fourth Texas reliever, got the five outs for his 30th save in 33 chances after deGrom (11-9) needed 92 pitches while giving up two runs. Latz struck out pinch-hitter Andruw Monasterio with the bases loaded to end the eighth.

Texas (75-76) stayed within one game of AL West-leading Houston (76-75) after the Astros also won Tuesday. The Rangers moved ahead of Toronto (75-77), which lost to Detroit, to stay within 1 1/2 games of Cleveland (77-75) for the third and final wild card.

Boston (82-69) is second in the wild-card race, 5 1/2 games ahead of the Guardians.

Red Sox starter Patrick Sandoval (1-6) struck out his first four batters but was done after allowing four runs in 2 2/3 innings. The left-hander struck out five and walked two.

Elias Díaz hit a two-run double into the left-field corner with two outs in the second to put Texas ahead. Sandoval walked the next two batters and Seager's high popup tipped off the extended glove of shortstop Trevor Story in short left as the Rangers extended the lead to 4-0.

Seager, who had another single in the fifth, had multiple hits for the 12th time in 27 games since Aug. 15.

Boston No. 9 batter Nick Sogard hit a two-run homer in the third.

The Red Sox failed to score after loading the bases without a hit in the fifth. They had a batter hit by a pitch, another that reached on a catcher’s interference call and a two-out walk before Adley Rutschman’s inning-ending groundout.

Rangers LHP MacKenzie Gore (8-11, 4.62) is set to match the MLB lead with his 32nd start in the middle game Wednesday night. Rookie LHP Jake Bennett (9-7, 3.69) pitches for the Red Sox.

See AP’s full MLB coverage here

Boston Red Sox's Nick Sogard is greeted in the dugout after hitting a two-run home run off Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob deGrom during the third inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Patrick Sandoval throws to the Texas Rangers during the second inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Boston Red Sox left fielder Roman Anthony, right, watches as teammate shortstop Trevor Story (10) is unable to catch a two-run single by Texas Rangers' Corey Seager, not visible, during the second inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Texas Rangers' Elias DÌaz is greeted in the dugout after he and teammate Danny Jansen-, back, scored on a bases loaded single by teammate Corey Seager against the Boston Red Sox during the second inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob deGrom throws to the Boston Red Sox during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

NEW YORK (AP) — Pete Alonso launched his 300th career home run Tuesday night, a tying shot in the ninth inning against his former team, and Coby Mayo’s inside-the-park homer in the 11th sent the Baltimore Orioles to a 7-5 victory over the New York Mets.

Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Jeremiah Jackson also went deep for the Orioles (74-78), who stayed three games behind Cleveland for the last American League playoff spot.

Mayo snapped a 4-all tie with a three-run homer in the 11th. He connected on an 0-2 pitch from Jonathan Pintaro with two outs and sent a long drive to center field that glanced off rookie A.J. Ewing's glove as he crashed into the fence.

The ball rolled away from Ewing as he fell to the ground, allowing Mayo to circle the bases and score standing up.

Alonso, who hit a club-record 264 homers for the Mets before signing with the Orioles last December, was hitless in his first seven plate appearances of the series before launching a 414-foot solo drive off Kodai Senga to tie the score at 3 with one out in the ninth.

A pumped-up Alonso spiked his bat toward the Orioles dugout and rounded the bases as the Citi Field crowd of 28,097 — down from 35,800 on Monday — roared.

Fans chanted his name until Alonso emerged from the dugout for a curtain call, after which chants of “Fire Stearns” aimed at Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns began.

It was Senga’s first blown save in eight chances this season.

The teams traded runs in the 10th, when Encarnacion-Strand raced home on a wild pitch and Marcus Semien laced a one-out RBI double for the Mets. Alonso struck out against Pintaro (2-2) in the 11th before Mayo’s inside-the-park homer made a winner of Alex Hoppe (1-1).

Andrew Kittredge earned his 10th save after allowing Bo Bichette’s two-out RBI single.

New York (69-82) lost its third straight and was assured of a losing season.

Carson Benge homered for the Mets, eliminated from playoff contention with Monday’s 2-1 loss to Baltimore. Jared Young had a sacrifice fly and Juan Soto delivered an RBI single.

Orioles RHP Chris Bassitt (7-5, 4.88 ERA) starts Wednesday’s series finale against Mets RHP Robert Stock (1-3, 5.93).

See AP’s full MLB coverage here

A fan holds up a sign during the eleventh inning of a baseball game between the New York Mets and the Baltimore Orioles, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Baltimore Orioles' Coby Mayo, right, celebrates with Dylan Beavers, left, and Leody Taveras, center, after hitting a three-run home run during the eleventh inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Baltimore Orioles' Pete Alonso, center, acknowledges the crowd after hitting a solo home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Baltimore Orioles' Pete Alonso reacts after hitting a solo home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Baltimore Orioles' Pete Alonso hits a solo home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)