CLEVELAND (AP) — Lucas Giolito struck out a season-high 12 over seven scoreless innings, Josh Naylor and Andrés Giménez each drove in three runs, and the Cleveland Guardians routed the Texas Rangers 12-3 on Friday night.
Texas, which had its six-game winning streak halted, currently holds the second AL wild-card berth. The Rangers also are second in the West, where first-place Houston and third-place Seattle are separated by 1 1/2 games.
Giolito (8-13), claimed off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels on Aug. 31, allowed two hits and one walk. The right-hander had lost his previous five starts, and was 1-8 with a 6.99 ERA in 12 combined outings with the White Sox, Angels and Guardians since July 4.
“I had the type of start that I like to have every fifth day,” said Giolito, who threw 100 pitches. “Being here in this environment with these guys, it’s been very nice after a very hectic month-plus.”
Naylor matched his career high with four hits and Giménez hit a two-run homer off right-hander Jon Gray (8-8), who allowed three runs in 3 2/3 innings and is winless in six starts since Aug. 11.
Cleveland, which is eight games behind Minnesota in the AL Central with 14 to play, scored 12 runs for the first time since June 18 at Arizona.
“That’s the Giolito I know and have faced in the past,” Naylor said. “He killed it tonight. I’m so happy for him and I’m sure it’s a little weight off his shoulders.”
Texas got on the board in the ninth when Sam Huff homered against Eli Morgan. Backup catcher Austin Hedges, who pitched a scoreless eighth, added a two-run single.
Relievers Andrew Heaney and Ian Kennedy gave up nine runs in 3 1/3 innings.
“It was an off-night everywhere for us,” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said. “What you saw was a good pitcher in Giolito on top of his game. Give him credit.”
Ramón Laureano, who scored three runs and reached base five times, had a solo homer and Kole Calhoun hit a two-run shot.
Will Brennan had a two-run double in the sixth, when Cleveland scored five times off Andrew Heaney to go up 9-0. José Ramírez and Naylor added RBI doubles in the inning.
“We haven’t had many of these games, so it’s nice to be able to relax a little bit,” Guardians manager Terry Francona said.