SEATTLE (AP) - Sam Haggerty and Kyle Lewis homered, Justin Dunn pitched one-hit ball over six innings and the Seattle Mariners beat the Texas Rangers 4-1 on Sunday.
The trio of rookies sent the sliding Rangers to their eighth straight loss and helped the Mariners to their first series win and sweep of the season. Seattle has won five of six at home.
Haggerty, an offseason waiver pickup from the New York Mets who’s been playing in a utility role due to injuries, made it 4-0 with a two-run home run to left field in the fifth inning. It was his first career home run.
Lewis hit his seventh home run of the season in the first inning, tying Luis Robert for the major league lead among rookies.
Austin Nola made it 2-0 in the second with his own solo homer.
The three homers nearly equaled starting pitcher Mike Minor’s season total of four home runs allowed entering the game. Minor (0-5) lost his fifth decision in six starts, though he did reach six innings for the first time, allowing five hits while striking out four and walking one.
Dunn (2-1), one of three 24 year olds in the Mariners’ rotation, picked up his second career win – both against the Rangers. He faced one batter over the minimum through four innings, striking out six and walking one in six innings total. His only blemish was Isiah Kiner-Falefa’s fifth-inning double.
Taylor Williams earned his sixth save.
Texas’ losing streak is the longest in the major leagues this year. The Rangers are an AL-worst 3-11 away from home and were swept on a road trip of five-plus games for the first time since June 1991. So far this season, they’ve suffered a minus-36 run differential on the road (89-53), giving up 65 runs during the current slide.
RANGERS DECISIONS
With their next 11 games against contenders, manager Chris Woodward said the Rangers are considering a number of changes. The first could come with the starting rotation due to the struggles of right-hander Jordan Lyles (1-3) and lefty Kolby Allard (0-2), who have both lost two straight.
Lyles has given up 15 earned runs in his last two outings and Allard was chased by the Mariners in the first inning on Friday.
Woodward said openers could be an option. The team also will be looking at bringing in prospects at other positions if veterans continue to struggle.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Rangers: C Robinson Chirinos (ankle) will be activated when Texas returns to Arlington. Woodward said the team may keep three catchers due to the hot play of Jose Trevino and Jeff Mathis.
UP NEXT
Rangers: Ace RHP Lance Lynn (3-0, 1.37) takes the mound as Texas returns home to face Oakland on Monday. Lynn is the only Rangers starter above .500 and is averaging a major-league high of 107.8 pitches per game.
Mariners: LHP Marco Gonzales (2-2, 3.34) takes the mound Tuesday as Seattle travels to San Diego on Tuesday after a day off.