Helman's grand slam and Latz's scoreless outing push playoff-chasing Rangers past Brewers | iNFOnews.ca
Texas Rangers' Michael Helman, right, is greeted near home plate by teammates, from left, Jonah Heim, Dylan Moore and Kyle Higashioka after scoring them all on a grand slam off Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Jose Quintana during the fifth inning of a baseball game Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Helman’s grand slam and Latz’s scoreless outing push playoff-chasing Rangers past Brewers

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Michael Helman drove in all the Texas runs with a grand slam and a double, lefty Jacob Latz pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings and the playoff-chasing Rangers beat the MLB-best Milwaukee Brewers 5-0 on Monday night.

The Rangers (75-70) moved within 3 1/2 games of idle Houston, the closest they have been to the AL West lead since also trailing by 3 1/2 on May 30. Texas, with 17 games remaining, just won two of three against the Astros.

Milwaukee (89-56), which in this three-game series could become the first team to officially clinch a playoff spot, was held scoreless for the 11th time this season. Cole Winn, Jacob Webb and Chris Martin finished off the Rangers’ 14th shutout win.

Texas didn’t even have a base runner against Brewers starter Jose Quintana (11-6) until Jake Burger’s leadoff walk in the fifth. The bases were loaded after Kyle Higashioka doubled off the very top of the 8-foot wall in left and Jonah Heim drew a walk before Helman’s fourth homer of the season.

Helman added a two-out RBI double in the seventh.

Latz (2-0) made his third consecutive start in what had been the rotation spot of 11-game winner Nathan Eovaldi before he went the injured list with a right rotator cuff strain. The left-hander struck out four and walked one while allowing only three singles.

Key moment

Batting with the bases loaded for the first time in his 30 big league games, Helman hit a 381-foot liner into the left-field seats.

Key stat

The Rangers have won 12 of their past 16 games. They scored at least four runs in each win, and were held to fewer than that in those losses.

Up next

Rangers right-hander Jack Leiter (9-8, 3.74 ERA) starts Tuesday night in the middle game of the series. Milwaukee hadn’t named a starter.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB

Helman's grand slam and Latz's scoreless outing push playoff-chasing Rangers past Brewers | iNFOnews.ca
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob Latz throws against the Milwaukee Brewers during the first inning of a baseball game Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Helman's grand slam and Latz's scoreless outing push playoff-chasing Rangers past Brewers | iNFOnews.ca
Texas Rangers’ Jonah Heim, bottom, slides in to score ahead of the tag of Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras on a double by Rangers’ Michael Helman during the seventh inning of a baseball game Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Helman's grand slam and Latz's scoreless outing push playoff-chasing Rangers past Brewers | iNFOnews.ca
Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Jose Quintana (62) and catcher William Contreras (24) react after pitching to the Texas Rangers during the first inning of a baseball game Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Helman's grand slam and Latz's scoreless outing push playoff-chasing Rangers past Brewers | iNFOnews.ca
Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Brice Turang overruns a foul ball by Texas Rangers’ Jake Burger during the fifth inning of a baseball game Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Create a free account

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

Related Articles