The Seattle Mariners beat the Texas Rangers on Friday night 8-0 to keep their playoff hopes very much alive.
With the win, Seattle is now 87-73 on the year. They remain 1.0 game back of the Houston Astros in the battle for the third and final wild card spot in the American League.
There are two games left to play. The M's own the tiebreaker over the Astros, so if the two teams end up in a tie, Seattle gets to go to the playoffs for a second straight year.
Seattle utilized the longball in the Friday win, getting home runs from Ty France, Josh Rojas and J.P. Crawford.
Crawford's home run was a grand slam which busted the game open in a five-run fourth inning. It continued Crawford's historic run with the bases loaded this year.
Per @MarinersPR on social media:
.@JP_Crawford registers his 3rd career grand slam and his 2nd of the season (other: 4/26 at PHI).
Crawford is batting .688 (11x16) with 26 RBI in 17 PA with the bases loaded this season, 7th-best AVG in @MLB history (min 15 PA).
Crawford has been incredible for the M's this season. After making a commitment to get stronger in the offseason, he's now hitting .266 this season with 19 home runs and 65 RBI. The 28-year-old has a .821 OPS and has hit at the top of the order for a good portion of the season.
Seattle will take on the Rangers again on Saturday night at T-Mobile Park.
First pitch is set for 7:15 p.m. ET.
More must-reads: