Grand Opening: Texas Rangers Blow Out Blue Jays in Crucial Series Opener

The Texas Rangers drew first blood in a crucial four-game series with the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Rangers blew it open with a five-run seventh to win 10-4 Monday at Rogers Centre to pull within a half-game of the Blue Jays in the Wild Card race. Texas moved ahead of the Seattle Mariners, who lost the Los Angeles Angels, for the third of three Wild Card spots.

The Rangers gained a game on the American League West-leading Houston Astros, who lost to the Oakland Athletics. Texas is two games back of its instate rivals.

Texas (79-64) won its third consecutive game, its longest win streak since winning eight straight games from Aug. 1-8. It's the Rangers first series-opening win since Aug. 28 against the New York Mets. Their 79 wins are the most in a season since they led the AL with 95 wins in 2016.

"It's a great start to a road trip," Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said. "Just good at-bats throughout the order. A lot of good things by the guys offensively."

The Rangers scored five runs in the seventh, including Jonah Heim's grand slam to build a seven-run lead against the Blue Jays (80-63).

Evan Carter tied it at 2-2 with a solo shot in the third. It's Carter's first career homer since being called up from Triple-A Round Rock on Friday.

Carter singled and scored on Corey Seager's single in the fifth to give Texas a 3-2 lead.

In the bottom of the inning, Carter fielded a single in left field and threw out the potential game-tying run at home. Catcher Jonah Heim made a quick tag on Carter's high throw to get Kevin Kiermaier. The Blue Jays challenged the call but it was upheld.

Robbie Grossman scored on a wild pitch and Jonah Heim had an RBI double down the right-field line to push Texas' lead to 5-2.

You can follow Stefan Stevenson on Twitter @StefanVersusTex.

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