Koby Clemens had a double, an RBI single and scored a run to back seven solid innings from starter Zebby Matthews as the Minnesota Twins defeated the reeling Texas Rangers 4-1 on Tuesday in the opener of a three-game series in Arlington, Texas.
The loss was a season-high eighth straight for the Rangers (79-78) and mathematically eliminated them from the postseason. Texas was within two games of the American League West lead and a game back in the race for the league’s final wild-card spot on Sept. 14 before its swoon.
Minnesota (68-89), which has long been excused from postseason consideration, has won two straight games for just the second time since capturing three in a row Aug 5-8.
Matthews scattered four hits and struck out six without issuing a walk to win for just the second time in eight starts since Aug. 5. Tuesday’s showing was a solid bounce-back for Matthews after he allowed nine runs on 11 hits against the Yankees in his previous start on Sept. 16.
Cole Sands pitched a perfect ninth to earn his third save of the year.
Patrick Corbin (7-11) — the first of six Texas pitchers — lasted just 3 2/3 innings, giving up two runs on four hits and two walks with two strikeouts. Corbin is 0-2 in five September starts despite allowing two runs or fewer in four of those appearances.
The Rangers got off on the right foot when Joc Pederson smashed a leadoff home run to stake them to a 1-0 lead.
Minnesota rallied to the front in the third inning. Clemens started the frame with a double off Corbin, went to third on a single by Christian Vazquez and scored on a groundout by Byron Buxton. After Austin Martin’s infield single sent Buxton to third, Ryan Jeffers’ ensuing single brought him home for a 2-1 lead.
The Twins added on in the sixth, with Carson McCusker walking to start the inning. James Outman replaced McCusker on the bases and moved to second on a single by Brooks Lee. Clemens followed with a single that drove home Outman, and Lee later scored on a Martin groundout that pushed the margin to 4-1.
