NFL playoff picture: What does Patriots-Jets mean for AFC standings in Week 17

NFL playoff picture: What does Patriots-Jets mean for AFC standings in Week 17

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4 p.m. window update: The Eagles beat the Bills courtesy of a last second stop on a Buffalo two-point conversion attempt. The Bills loss means the Patriots have clinched the AFC East title. They now will play for the No. 1 seed in Week 18.

Game update: The Patriots’ blowout win over the Jets has New England on the cusp of clinching the AFC East title. If the Bills lose or tie against the Philadelphia Eagles later today, the Patriots will wrap up the division title.

If the Bills win that game, the Patriots will have to wait until Week 18 to clinch the division. New England would just need a win over the Miami Dolphins to clinch their first division title since 2019.

New England’s win also denied the Broncos a chance at wrapping up the No. 1 seed in the AFC. Both teams are now 13-3, and while the Broncos have a tiebreaker advantage over New England based on their record against common opponents, the Patriots can still secure the No. 1 seed in Week 18 with a win and a Denver loss.

Two AFC East rivals meet on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.

One team has already clinched a playoff spot, but the other would love to play spoiler.

Here is what is at stake Sunday when the New York Jets host the New England Patriots.

New England Patriots playoff picture

The Patriots control their own destiny in the race with the Buffalo Bills for the division title, but to clinch this weekend, they will need a little bit of help from a team that beat them in Super Bowl LII.

New England sits atop the division with a 12-3 record, one game ahead of the 11-4 Bills. The Patriots missed a golden opportunity to clinch the division back in Week 15 when they blew a 24-7 halftime lead to the Bills, but still remain in the driver’s seat in the division title race. With wins in their final two games (starting this weekend against the New York Jets, and then in the season finale against the Miami Dolphins), then the Patriots are division champions.

However, New England can clinch the division this weekend, and start celebrating early. With a win over the Jets, and a Bills loss or tie against the Philadelphia Eagles, the Patriots are AFC East champions.

New England can also clinch the division with a tie against the Jets, and a Bills loss to the Eagles.

The Patriots are also in the running for the No. 1 seed in the AFC, but the advantage is in the Denver Broncos’ favor. Denver’s win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas night improved their record to 13-3, and the Broncos have already clinched a tiebreaker advantage over the Patriots based on common games, which is the third tiebreaker after head-to-head (these two teams did not play this year) and record in conference games.

New England needs to win to keep their hopes for the No. 1 seed alive. A loss eliminates the Patriots from contention for the top spot in the AFC.

With the Jets already eliminated from the playoffs, this game has no tiebreaker implications between the two teams.

However, it could play a role in the chase for the AFC East title. Right now the Patriots have a one-game lead over the Bills, and with the two teams having split the season series, the second tiebreaker is division record. New England has a 3-1 record in AFC East games (with the Jets and Miami Dolphins remaining) while the Bills are 3-2, with the Jets on the schedule in Week 18. A New England loss to the Jets opens the door to the Patriots and Bills finishing with the same division record, which would then move the AFC East title to the third tiebreaker, which is record in common games. Right now the Patriots are 9-1 in those games while the Bills are 9-2, but a loss to the Jets would drop New England to 9-2.

Which would potentially mean the AFC East title would be decided by the fourth tiebreaker, AFC record. Entering Week 17 the Bills have a better record in conference games, 8-3 versus 7-3.

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Deadspin | Cardinals get off to fast start in win over Astros Apr 18, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn (0) crosses home plate after hitting a two-run home run to left field against the Houston Astros during the third inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images Masyn Winn and Jose Fermin smacked their first home runs, and the visiting St. Louis Cardinals clinched an interleague series win over the Houston Astros with a 7-5 victory on Saturday. Alec Burleson also homered for the Cardinals, who pounced on Astros starter Lance McCullers Jr. (1-1) and rode a solid start from right-hander Andre Pallante (2-1), who worked five innings. The Astros lost their third consecutive game and have dropped 11 of 13. McCullers labored throughout his five-inning stint. He plunked JJ Wetherholt and Ivan Herrera with pitches to begin his outing and, after walking Jordan Walker to load the bases with one out in the top of the first inning, surrendered a single to Nolan Gorman that plated Wetherholt and Herrera and spotted the Cardinals a 2-0 lead. McCullers issued walks to Fermin and Wetherholt but stranded both in the second. But with Gorman on first and one out in the third, McCullers grooved a 2-0 sinker that Winn launched into the left-field seats. That 373-foot blast extended the Cardinals’ lead to 4-1. McCullers allowed four runs on four hits and three walks with four strikeouts. He threw 91 pitches, 58 for strikes. Yordan Alvarez crushed his league-leading ninth home run to straightaway center with one out in the bottom of the first. Pallante limited the Astros to that lone tally by working around two baserunners in the second and third innings, and stranding Cam Smith at first in the fourth. Pallante retired the side in order in the fifth, recording strikeouts of Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa in the frame. He allowed three hits and issued three walks while notching five strikeouts. The Cardinals tacked on solo runs in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings. Fermin won a 10-pitch battle with Astros left-hander Colton Gordon with his 370-foot shot to left-center that pushed the Cardinals to a 5-1 lead. Burleson led off the seventh with his third homer, a 408-foot blast into the second deck in right field. Shay Whitcomb slugged a three-run home run off Cardinals reliever George Soriano in the ninth, but closer Riley O’Brien retired Altuve and Alvarez to earn his sixth save. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Cardinals #fast #start #win #AstrosApr 18, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn (0) crosses home plate after hitting a two-run home run to left field against the Houston Astros during the third inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images

Masyn Winn and Jose Fermin smacked their first home runs, and the visiting St. Louis Cardinals clinched an interleague series win over the Houston Astros with a 7-5 victory on Saturday.

Alec Burleson also homered for the Cardinals, who pounced on Astros starter Lance McCullers Jr. (1-1) and rode a solid start from right-hander Andre Pallante (2-1), who worked five innings.

The Astros lost their third consecutive game and have dropped 11 of 13.

McCullers labored throughout his five-inning stint. He plunked JJ Wetherholt and Ivan Herrera with pitches to begin his outing and, after walking Jordan Walker to load the bases with one out in the top of the first inning, surrendered a single to Nolan Gorman that plated Wetherholt and Herrera and spotted the Cardinals a 2-0 lead.


McCullers issued walks to Fermin and Wetherholt but stranded both in the second. But with Gorman on first and one out in the third, McCullers grooved a 2-0 sinker that Winn launched into the left-field seats. That 373-foot blast extended the Cardinals’ lead to 4-1. McCullers allowed four runs on four hits and three walks with four strikeouts. He threw 91 pitches, 58 for strikes.

Yordan Alvarez crushed his league-leading ninth home run to straightaway center with one out in the bottom of the first. Pallante limited the Astros to that lone tally by working around two baserunners in the second and third innings, and stranding Cam Smith at first in the fourth.

Pallante retired the side in order in the fifth, recording strikeouts of Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa in the frame. He allowed three hits and issued three walks while notching five strikeouts.

The Cardinals tacked on solo runs in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings. Fermin won a 10-pitch battle with Astros left-hander Colton Gordon with his 370-foot shot to left-center that pushed the Cardinals to a 5-1 lead. Burleson led off the seventh with his third homer, a 408-foot blast into the second deck in right field.

Shay Whitcomb slugged a three-run home run off Cardinals reliever George Soriano in the ninth, but closer Riley O’Brien retired Altuve and Alvarez to earn his sixth save.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Cardinals #fast #start #win #Astros">Deadspin | Cardinals get off to fast start in win over Astros Apr 18, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn (0) crosses home plate after hitting a two-run home run to left field against the Houston Astros during the third inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images Masyn Winn and Jose Fermin smacked their first home runs, and the visiting St. Louis Cardinals clinched an interleague series win over the Houston Astros with a 7-5 victory on Saturday. Alec Burleson also homered for the Cardinals, who pounced on Astros starter Lance McCullers Jr. (1-1) and rode a solid start from right-hander Andre Pallante (2-1), who worked five innings. The Astros lost their third consecutive game and have dropped 11 of 13. McCullers labored throughout his five-inning stint. He plunked JJ Wetherholt and Ivan Herrera with pitches to begin his outing and, after walking Jordan Walker to load the bases with one out in the top of the first inning, surrendered a single to Nolan Gorman that plated Wetherholt and Herrera and spotted the Cardinals a 2-0 lead. McCullers issued walks to Fermin and Wetherholt but stranded both in the second. But with Gorman on first and one out in the third, McCullers grooved a 2-0 sinker that Winn launched into the left-field seats. That 373-foot blast extended the Cardinals’ lead to 4-1. McCullers allowed four runs on four hits and three walks with four strikeouts. He threw 91 pitches, 58 for strikes. Yordan Alvarez crushed his league-leading ninth home run to straightaway center with one out in the bottom of the first. Pallante limited the Astros to that lone tally by working around two baserunners in the second and third innings, and stranding Cam Smith at first in the fourth. Pallante retired the side in order in the fifth, recording strikeouts of Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa in the frame. He allowed three hits and issued three walks while notching five strikeouts. The Cardinals tacked on solo runs in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings. Fermin won a 10-pitch battle with Astros left-hander Colton Gordon with his 370-foot shot to left-center that pushed the Cardinals to a 5-1 lead. Burleson led off the seventh with his third homer, a 408-foot blast into the second deck in right field. Shay Whitcomb slugged a three-run home run off Cardinals reliever George Soriano in the ninth, but closer Riley O’Brien retired Altuve and Alvarez to earn his sixth save. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Cardinals #fast #start #win #Astros

Deadspin | Jon Rahm again dominates back 9 to remain LIV Mexico City leader Aug 24, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Jon Rahm of Legion XIII reacts to making his putt on the 18th green in a playoff hole during the finals of the LIV Golf Michigan Team Championship at The Cardinal at Saint John’s Resort. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images Jon Rahm dominated the back nine once again on Saturday to remain atop the leaderboard at 14 under through three rounds of LIV Golf Mexico City in Naucalpan, Mexico. Rahm overcame a double-bogey on the par-4 fifth hole and a 1-over showing on the front nine by shooting 5 under on the back nine to post his second consecutive 4-under-par 67. Through three rounds this week, the Spaniard has shot 11 under on the back nine at Club de Golf Chapultepec. He’s two strokes clear of Legion XIII teammate Tyrrell Hatton (66) of England at 12 under, who had a bogey-free Saturday round which included an eagle on the par-5 seventh hole. Another Legion XIII player, Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin (69), is tied for third at 11 under with Brendan Grace (65) of South Africa. Three members of the same team haven’t finished in the top three spots in a LIV event since the inaugural LIV event at London in 2022. “It’s a real honor. Honestly. It’s great to see them playing well, too,” Rahm said of his team’s performance. ” … I’m not surprised at all. I’m happy to see them up there. And let’s see if it’s not me, but one of the three of us who wins tomorrow.” Rahm, who has won the LIV individual championship each of the last two seasons, is seeking his second win of the season and sixth top-five finish in as many 2026 LIV events. Grace, who was even par in the first round, has surged toward the top of the leaderboard after an up-and-down third round. He got to 4 under through his first five holes after an eagle at No. 7 before going bogey, birdie, birdie, double bogey on the next four holes. He finished the back nine with four birdies in five holes before a bogey at the 18th and pars on the first and second holes to finish his rocky but effective round. “I gave myself chances. I think I made eight birdies and an eagle today and then obviously a couple of mishaps out there,” Grace said. “But around a place like this, it’s easy to do.” Included in a five-way tie for fifth at 10 under is Spain’s David Puig, who scattered eight birdies, an eagle and a bogey Saturday for the second 9-under round of the week. Victor Perez, who shot 9 under on Thursday, has fallen back into a tie for 22nd after posting a combined score of 5 over the last two rounds. Bryson DeChambeau’s pursuit of becoming the first player in LIV Golf history to win three straight individual events appears quite finished after he shot 2 over in the third round to fall into a tie for 41st. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Jon #Rahm #dominates #remain #LIV #Mexico #City #leaderAug 24, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Jon Rahm of Legion XIII reacts to making his putt on the 18th green in a playoff hole during the finals of the LIV Golf Michigan Team Championship at The Cardinal at Saint John’s Resort. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images

Jon Rahm dominated the back nine once again on Saturday to remain atop the leaderboard at 14 under through three rounds of LIV Golf Mexico City in Naucalpan, Mexico.

Rahm overcame a double-bogey on the par-4 fifth hole and a 1-over showing on the front nine by shooting 5 under on the back nine to post his second consecutive 4-under-par 67. Through three rounds this week, the Spaniard has shot 11 under on the back nine at Club de Golf Chapultepec.

He’s two strokes clear of Legion XIII teammate Tyrrell Hatton (66) of England at 12 under, who had a bogey-free Saturday round which included an eagle on the par-5 seventh hole. Another Legion XIII player, Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin (69), is tied for third at 11 under with Brendan Grace (65) of South Africa.

Three members of the same team haven’t finished in the top three spots in a LIV event since the inaugural LIV event at London in 2022.

“It’s a real honor. Honestly. It’s great to see them playing well, too,” Rahm said of his team’s performance. ” … I’m not surprised at all. I’m happy to see them up there. And let’s see if it’s not me, but one of the three of us who wins tomorrow.”


Rahm, who has won the LIV individual championship each of the last two seasons, is seeking his second win of the season and sixth top-five finish in as many 2026 LIV events.

Grace, who was even par in the first round, has surged toward the top of the leaderboard after an up-and-down third round. He got to 4 under through his first five holes after an eagle at No. 7 before going bogey, birdie, birdie, double bogey on the next four holes.

He finished the back nine with four birdies in five holes before a bogey at the 18th and pars on the first and second holes to finish his rocky but effective round.

“I gave myself chances. I think I made eight birdies and an eagle today and then obviously a couple of mishaps out there,” Grace said. “But around a place like this, it’s easy to do.”

Included in a five-way tie for fifth at 10 under is Spain’s David Puig, who scattered eight birdies, an eagle and a bogey Saturday for the second 9-under round of the week. Victor Perez, who shot 9 under on Thursday, has fallen back into a tie for 22nd after posting a combined score of 5 over the last two rounds.

Bryson DeChambeau’s pursuit of becoming the first player in LIV Golf history to win three straight individual events appears quite finished after he shot 2 over in the third round to fall into a tie for 41st.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Jon #Rahm #dominates #remain #LIV #Mexico #City #leader">Deadspin | Jon Rahm again dominates back 9 to remain LIV Mexico City leader Aug 24, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Jon Rahm of Legion XIII reacts to making his putt on the 18th green in a playoff hole during the finals of the LIV Golf Michigan Team Championship at The Cardinal at Saint John’s Resort. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images Jon Rahm dominated the back nine once again on Saturday to remain atop the leaderboard at 14 under through three rounds of LIV Golf Mexico City in Naucalpan, Mexico. Rahm overcame a double-bogey on the par-4 fifth hole and a 1-over showing on the front nine by shooting 5 under on the back nine to post his second consecutive 4-under-par 67. Through three rounds this week, the Spaniard has shot 11 under on the back nine at Club de Golf Chapultepec. He’s two strokes clear of Legion XIII teammate Tyrrell Hatton (66) of England at 12 under, who had a bogey-free Saturday round which included an eagle on the par-5 seventh hole. Another Legion XIII player, Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin (69), is tied for third at 11 under with Brendan Grace (65) of South Africa. Three members of the same team haven’t finished in the top three spots in a LIV event since the inaugural LIV event at London in 2022. “It’s a real honor. Honestly. It’s great to see them playing well, too,” Rahm said of his team’s performance. ” … I’m not surprised at all. I’m happy to see them up there. And let’s see if it’s not me, but one of the three of us who wins tomorrow.” Rahm, who has won the LIV individual championship each of the last two seasons, is seeking his second win of the season and sixth top-five finish in as many 2026 LIV events. Grace, who was even par in the first round, has surged toward the top of the leaderboard after an up-and-down third round. He got to 4 under through his first five holes after an eagle at No. 7 before going bogey, birdie, birdie, double bogey on the next four holes. He finished the back nine with four birdies in five holes before a bogey at the 18th and pars on the first and second holes to finish his rocky but effective round. “I gave myself chances. I think I made eight birdies and an eagle today and then obviously a couple of mishaps out there,” Grace said. “But around a place like this, it’s easy to do.” Included in a five-way tie for fifth at 10 under is Spain’s David Puig, who scattered eight birdies, an eagle and a bogey Saturday for the second 9-under round of the week. Victor Perez, who shot 9 under on Thursday, has fallen back into a tie for 22nd after posting a combined score of 5 over the last two rounds. Bryson DeChambeau’s pursuit of becoming the first player in LIV Golf history to win three straight individual events appears quite finished after he shot 2 over in the third round to fall into a tie for 41st. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Jon #Rahm #dominates #remain #LIV #Mexico #City #leader

Deadspin | George Kirby the answer to Mariners beating Rangers this season Apr 18, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher George Kirby (68) is greeted by teammates in the dugout after being pulled from a game in the sixth inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images George Kirby continued his mastery of the Texas Rangers, allowing one run over 5 2/3 innings, as the host Seattle Mariners posted a 7-3 victory Saturday against their American League West rivals. Luke Raley homered for the Mariners, who snapped a four-game losing streak and beat Texas for the first time in five tries this season. Seattle closer Andres Munoz entered with two outs and the bases loaded in the ninth and struck out Brandon Nimmo for the right-hander’s second save of the season. Josh Jung went deep for the Rangers, who had won their previous two games. Trailing 7-1, the Rangers scored twice in the ninth off Cole Wilcox, with singles by Wyatt Langford and Josh Smith and a walk to Jung loading the bases. Evan Carter hit a sacrifice fly down the right field line caught in foul territory by second baseman Cole Young. Ezequiel Duran’s run-scoring double into the left field corner made it 7-3 and a walk to Kyle Higashioka forced the Mariners to use Munoz. Kirby (3-2) improved to 9-1 in 12 career starts against Texas. The right-hander gave up seven hits, walked two and struck out five. The only run he allowed came on Jung’s homer to straightaway center field with one out in the sixth that trimmed Seattle’s lead to 3-1. An out later, Duran grounded a single to right, ending Kirby’s outing. Reliever Matt Brash got Higashioka to ground out to short to end the threat. Raley led off the bottom of the inning with a towering shot to right off Nathan Eovaldi (2-3) to restore Seattle’s three-run lead. The Mariners scored three more runs off Cal Quantrill in the eighth. Raley drew a one-out walk and took third on Dominic Canzone’s double off the wall in left. Young grounded a two-run single to center against a drawn-in infield to make it 6-1. Young stole second, took third on catcher Higashioka’s throwing error and scored on Leo Rivas’ sacrifice fly. Eovaldi gave up four runs (two earned) on eight hits in five-plus innings. The righty walked one and struck out three. The Mariners opened the scoring in the first. J.P. Crawford, batting leadoff with Brendan Donovan out with a hip injury, doubled to right and advanced as Cal Raleigh grounded out to first. With the infield drawn in, Julio Rodriguez grounded an RBI single into right. Seattle extended its lead with a pair of unearned runs in the fourth. With one out, Randy Arozarena hit a bloop single down the right field line. Raley grounded to second, with Duran’s throw in a bid to start a double play sailing into left field, putting the runners at second and third. With the infield again drawn in, Canzone hit a hard grounder up the middle to make it 3-0. Nimmo got his 1,000th career hit with an eighth-inning single. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #George #Kirby #answer #Mariners #beating #Rangers #seasonApr 18, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher George Kirby (68) is greeted by teammates in the dugout after being pulled from a game in the sixth inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images

George Kirby continued his mastery of the Texas Rangers, allowing one run over 5 2/3 innings, as the host Seattle Mariners posted a 7-3 victory Saturday against their American League West rivals.

Luke Raley homered for the Mariners, who snapped a four-game losing streak and beat Texas for the first time in five tries this season.

Seattle closer Andres Munoz entered with two outs and the bases loaded in the ninth and struck out Brandon Nimmo for the right-hander’s second save of the season.

Josh Jung went deep for the Rangers, who had won their previous two games.

Trailing 7-1, the Rangers scored twice in the ninth off Cole Wilcox, with singles by Wyatt Langford and Josh Smith and a walk to Jung loading the bases. Evan Carter hit a sacrifice fly down the right field line caught in foul territory by second baseman Cole Young. Ezequiel Duran’s run-scoring double into the left field corner made it 7-3 and a walk to Kyle Higashioka forced the Mariners to use Munoz.

Kirby (3-2) improved to 9-1 in 12 career starts against Texas. The right-hander gave up seven hits, walked two and struck out five. The only run he allowed came on Jung’s homer to straightaway center field with one out in the sixth that trimmed Seattle’s lead to 3-1.


An out later, Duran grounded a single to right, ending Kirby’s outing. Reliever Matt Brash got Higashioka to ground out to short to end the threat.

Raley led off the bottom of the inning with a towering shot to right off Nathan Eovaldi (2-3) to restore Seattle’s three-run lead.

The Mariners scored three more runs off Cal Quantrill in the eighth. Raley drew a one-out walk and took third on Dominic Canzone’s double off the wall in left. Young grounded a two-run single to center against a drawn-in infield to make it 6-1. Young stole second, took third on catcher Higashioka’s throwing error and scored on Leo Rivas’ sacrifice fly.

Eovaldi gave up four runs (two earned) on eight hits in five-plus innings. The righty walked one and struck out three.

The Mariners opened the scoring in the first. J.P. Crawford, batting leadoff with Brendan Donovan out with a hip injury, doubled to right and advanced as Cal Raleigh grounded out to first. With the infield drawn in, Julio Rodriguez grounded an RBI single into right.

Seattle extended its lead with a pair of unearned runs in the fourth. With one out, Randy Arozarena hit a bloop single down the right field line. Raley grounded to second, with Duran’s throw in a bid to start a double play sailing into left field, putting the runners at second and third. With the infield again drawn in, Canzone hit a hard grounder up the middle to make it 3-0.

Nimmo got his 1,000th career hit with an eighth-inning single.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #George #Kirby #answer #Mariners #beating #Rangers #season">Deadspin | George Kirby the answer to Mariners beating Rangers this season Apr 18, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher George Kirby (68) is greeted by teammates in the dugout after being pulled from a game in the sixth inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images George Kirby continued his mastery of the Texas Rangers, allowing one run over 5 2/3 innings, as the host Seattle Mariners posted a 7-3 victory Saturday against their American League West rivals. Luke Raley homered for the Mariners, who snapped a four-game losing streak and beat Texas for the first time in five tries this season. Seattle closer Andres Munoz entered with two outs and the bases loaded in the ninth and struck out Brandon Nimmo for the right-hander’s second save of the season. Josh Jung went deep for the Rangers, who had won their previous two games. Trailing 7-1, the Rangers scored twice in the ninth off Cole Wilcox, with singles by Wyatt Langford and Josh Smith and a walk to Jung loading the bases. Evan Carter hit a sacrifice fly down the right field line caught in foul territory by second baseman Cole Young. Ezequiel Duran’s run-scoring double into the left field corner made it 7-3 and a walk to Kyle Higashioka forced the Mariners to use Munoz. Kirby (3-2) improved to 9-1 in 12 career starts against Texas. The right-hander gave up seven hits, walked two and struck out five. The only run he allowed came on Jung’s homer to straightaway center field with one out in the sixth that trimmed Seattle’s lead to 3-1. An out later, Duran grounded a single to right, ending Kirby’s outing. Reliever Matt Brash got Higashioka to ground out to short to end the threat. Raley led off the bottom of the inning with a towering shot to right off Nathan Eovaldi (2-3) to restore Seattle’s three-run lead. The Mariners scored three more runs off Cal Quantrill in the eighth. Raley drew a one-out walk and took third on Dominic Canzone’s double off the wall in left. Young grounded a two-run single to center against a drawn-in infield to make it 6-1. Young stole second, took third on catcher Higashioka’s throwing error and scored on Leo Rivas’ sacrifice fly. Eovaldi gave up four runs (two earned) on eight hits in five-plus innings. The righty walked one and struck out three. The Mariners opened the scoring in the first. J.P. Crawford, batting leadoff with Brendan Donovan out with a hip injury, doubled to right and advanced as Cal Raleigh grounded out to first. With the infield drawn in, Julio Rodriguez grounded an RBI single into right. Seattle extended its lead with a pair of unearned runs in the fourth. With one out, Randy Arozarena hit a bloop single down the right field line. Raley grounded to second, with Duran’s throw in a bid to start a double play sailing into left field, putting the runners at second and third. With the infield again drawn in, Canzone hit a hard grounder up the middle to make it 3-0. Nimmo got his 1,000th career hit with an eighth-inning single. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #George #Kirby #answer #Mariners #beating #Rangers #season

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