ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Mitch Moreland hit a three-run homer and Colby Lewis pitched six innings for his 16th victory as the American League West-leading Texas Rangers beat the Houston Astros 8-2 Thursday to complete a four-game sweep.
South Korea’s Shin Soo-Choo matched his career high with four hits, scored twice and drove in two runs for the Rangers, who entered the series trailing the Astros by 1 1/2 games. Texas now leads the division by 2 1/2 games with 16 remaining, including three at Houston from Sept. 25-27.
The Astros finished a 2-8 trip and have a 1 1/2-game lead for the second AL playoff wild card over Minnesota.
In other games with possible postseason implications, the Los Angeles Angels beat Minnesota 11-8 to pull within 2 1/2 games of Houston for the second AL wild card, the Chicago Cubs dropped Pittsburgh 9-6 to pull within two games of the Pirates for the top wild card spot in the National League, and Washington’s fading playoff hopes took another hit with a 6-4 loss to Miami.
Mike Trout hit a grand slam and a solo shot to set a career high for home runs in a season with 38 to lead the Angels.
The reigning AL Most Valuable Player’s grand slam in the second inning erased most of an early 5-0 deficit, and he led off the fourth with his second homer of the game.
Taylor Featherston and Chris Iannetta also homered and Huston Street earned his 36th save for the Angels.
In Pittsburgh, Anthony Rizzo started a six-run fifth inning with his 30th homer as Chicago took three of four in an important series between National League playoff contenders.
Pirates rookie shortstop Jung Ho Kang is out six to eight months after breaking his left leg and injuring his knee in the first inning when Chris Coghlan slid into him while trying to break up a double play.
The Pirates trail first-place St. Louis by five games in the NL Central division.
Miami’s Justin Bour and Martin Prado homered for the second straight game and Jarred Cosart (2-4) turned in his third straight productive effort since being recalled from the minor leagues, giving up two runs and three hits in six innings.
The Nationals, opening their 11-game final homestand, fell eight games behind the first-place New York Mets in the NL East division.
Elsewhere, John Lackey pitched seven shutout innings and St. Louis beat Milwaukee 6-3 in a game delayed after Brewers pitcher Jimmy Nelson was hit in the head by a line drive.
Nelson (11-13) was struck in the back of the head by a liner from Tommy Pham in the third inning. He crumpled on the mound and remained face down for about a minute before walking off the field for treatment.
In Atlanta, Marco Estrada combined with Roberto Osuna on a three-hitter as Toronto blanked Atlanta 5-0 to extend its lead in the AL East division to 3 1/2 games.
Kansas City’s Omar Infante drove in a career-high seven runs as the AL Central-leading Royals overcame some early sloppiness to defeat Cleveland 8-4.
Baltimore kept its playoff hopes alive with a 4-3 win over Tampa Bay, pulling within 4 1/2 games of Houston for the second AL wild card spot, while Oakland rallied to beat the Chicago White Sox 4-2.
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