Buehler, Betts propel Dodgers to 5-3 win over Rangers

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Walker Buehler pitched six scoreless innings of five-hit ball to remain unbeaten since 2019, and Mookie Betts homered and scored three runs as the Los Angeles Dodgers held off the Texas Rangers 5-3 on Sunday.

Down 5-0, Texas scored three times in the ninth inning and had the bases loaded with no outs before the rally fizzled.

Zach McKinstry had a two-run double while going 3 for 3 with a walk, and Gavin Lux added his own RBI double in the fifth victory in six games for the Dodgers (39-26), who pulled within one game of NL-leading San Francisco (40-25) atop the division.

After Buehler (6-0) survived a rough first inning and made it through his second straight scoreless start, the Dodgers' bullpen struggled in the ninth.

The first six Texas batters reached base, but Kenley Jansen got three straight outs to secure his 15th save and Los Angeles' series-clinching win after the clubs traded 12-1 victories in the first two games.

Dane Dunning (2-5) yielded four runs on seven hits and two walks in four tough innings for the Rangers, who have lost 14 of 17.

Jason Martin and Isiah Kiner-Falefa drove in runs in the ninth off reliever Phil Bickford, allowing the Rangers to avoid their eighth shutout loss of the season.

Jansen came on and gave up an RBI single to Willie Calhoun on his first pitch before Texas loaded the bases. The veteran closer then got two popups before Nick Solak grounded out to end a nine-pitch at-bat.

One night after Texas ended its franchise-record-tying 16-game road losing streak, the Rangers fell to an MLB-worst 8-25 in interleague play over the past two seasons.

Buehler wasn't dominant by his own lofty standards, but he lasted at least six innings for the 13th time in his 13 starts this season — a feat he also accomplished in his final...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Buehler-Betts-propel-Dodgers-to-5-3-win-over-16245221.php