Andy Ibanez and Jonah Heim hit back-to-back home runs in the ninth inning to rally the Texas Rangers to defeat the Seattle Mariners 4-3 Sunday afternoon in Arlington, Texas.
Heim's solo shot was his second walk-off homer in as many games.
The Rangers, who hadn't taken consecutive games since late June and had lost 13 of 14 entering the weekend, trailed 3-1 going into the ninth inning when the Mariners brought in right-hander Erik Swanson (0-1), who had a 0.47 ERA in 15 previous appearances this season. Newly acquired closer Diego Castillo wasn't used as he had worked the previous two games.
Nathaniel Lowe led off with a line-drive single to center and Ibanez drove a two-run home run down the left-field line to tie the score. Heim, who hit a pair of two-run shots Saturday, including one in the 10th inning for a 5-4 win, went deep to right-center field on a 2-2 pitch from Swanson to end it.
Heim also homered in the opener of the series, giving him four in the three games.
Rangers right-hander Dennis Santana (1-1) got the victory with a scoreless inning of relief.
Charlie Culberson had three hits for the Rangers. Seattle's Abraham Toro went 3-for-4 with two doubles.
The Mariners scored twice in the second to take an early lead. Ty France was hit by a pitch leading off the inning and Toro hit a bloop single down the left-field line. Jarred Kelenic drew a walk to load the bases. With one out, Jake Bauers lined a run-scoring single to right. Dylan Moore then walked to bring home the second run.
The Rangers got a run back in the bottom of the inning as Ibanez and Heim led off with line-drive singles. Ibanez advanced to third on a groundout and scored when David Dahl grounded into a forceout.
It remained 2-1 until the seventh, when the Mariners put together a two-out rally against right-hander Jharel Cotton. Crawford walked and moved to third on a single to center by Mitch Haniger. With the Rangers employing a defensive shift against left-handed hitting Kyle Seager, he dropped a bunt down the third-base line to score Crawford.
--Field Level Media