Rangers strike early, run winning streak to 6 with 8-1 victory over struggling Braves

ARLINGTON Texas AP Josh Smith hit a two-run home run Wyatt Langford had a bases-clearing double and the surging Texas Rangers piled up eight runs in the first three innings in an - domination over the struggling Atlanta Braves on Sunday Josh Jung added a two-run single to help the Rangers sweep the three-game series Rookie Jack Leiter - set a career high with pitches and matched a career mark with seven strikeouts He allowed a run on two hits and three walks over six innings Texas - has won six straight games going six games over for the first time since April The Rangers are four games out of first place in the AL West gaining seven games since July and are a half-game out of a wild-card spot Atlanta starter Bryce Elder - who grew up about an hour s drive northwest of Arlington in Decatur gave up all eight runs The Braves - managed only four hits in dropping their fifth straight Having played in the last seven postseasons they re games out of a wild-card position Texas Corey Seager singled and walked to extend his on-base streak to games the majors longest current streak Key moment Leiter pitched with a - lead but runners at second and third with one out in the second after Sean Murphy s RBI double then retired Ozzie Albies and Nick Allen on weak contact Key stat The Rangers went - on their homestand following the All-Star break Up next Both teams will play Monday night on the road Braves RHP Spencer Strider - ERA will face -year-old Kansas City LHP Rich Hill - Rangers RHP Jacob deGrom - will go against Los Angeles Angels RHP Jack Kochanowicz - AP MLB https apnews com hub mlb Source