ARLINGTON, Texas - Josh Jung's first-inning home run set the tone before the Texas Rangers spent the rest of Saturday night surviving a starter change and climbing back into sole possession of the American League West.
Jung drove a solo shot 356 feet to right off José Soriano with two outs in the first, his 11th of the season, and later scored again in a three-run sixth as Texas beat the Toronto Blue Jays 6-2 at Globe Life Field. ESPN's box lists Jung 1-for-3 with two runs and an RBI.
The Associated Press reported the Rangers (78-77) moved a half-game ahead of Houston (77-78), which holds the tiebreaker, for their first sole West lead since late August and their first winning record since before Aug. 11.
Early lead, late reinforcement
Jung's homer was the cleanest swing of a night that otherwise leaned on traffic and relief. Texas scored twice in the second without a base hit - a walk, a hit batter, an infield throwing error by Andrés Giménez and a Soriano wild pitch, the AP wrote - then added three more in the sixth.
Wyatt Langford's RBI double scored Jung and sent Brandon Nimmo to third when left fielder Myles Straw pulled up as the ball landed between him and the wall. Danny Jansen's hit-by-pitch and Evan Carter's sacrifice fly finished the burst.
Jung also grounded into a double play later, per ESPN's box, a reminder that the night was not a multi-hit showcase. One well-timed fly ball and another trip around the bases were enough to put his name atop the scoring summary.
Bullpen holds after Quantrill exits
Starter Cal Quantrill lasted only 1 1/3 innings and 12 pitches before leaving with right lat tightness after retiring George Springer to open the second. Manager Skip Schumaker said he had no update; Quantrill is scheduled for an MRI on Sunday, the AP reported. Quantrill had also left his Sept. 13 start at Arizona early with a sore back.
