Trevor Story can't reach a bloop two-run hit of the bat of Rangers' Corey Seager as Roman Anthony can only watch Tuesday night in Arlington, Texas. (AP photo)

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Jacob deGrom struck out eight in five innings, Corey Seager had a two-run single and the Texas Rangers beat the Boston Red Sox 4-2 on Tuesday night in a series opener between playoff contenders.

All-Star closer Jacob Latz, the fourth Texas reliever, got the five outs for his 30th save in 33 chances after deGrom (11-9) needed 92 pitches while giving up two runs. Latz struck out pinch-hitter Andruw Monasterio with the bases loaded to end the eighth.

Texas (75-76) stayed within one game of AL West-leading Houston (76-75) after the Astros also won Tuesday. The Rangers moved ahead of Toronto (75-77), which lost to Detroit, to stay within 1 1/2 games of Cleveland (77-75) for the third and final wild card.

Boston (82-69) is second in the wild-card race, 5 1/2 games ahead of the Guardians.

Red Sox starter Patrick Sandoval (1-6) struck out his first four batters but was done after allowing four runs in 2 2/3 innings. The left-hander struck out five and walked two.

Elias Díaz hit a two-run double into the left-field corner with two outs in the second to put Texas ahead. Sandoval walked the next two batters and Seager’s high popup tipped off the extended glove of shortstop Trevor Story in short left as the Rangers extended the lead to 4-0.

Seager, who had another single in the fifth, had multiple hits for the 12th time in 27 games since Aug. 15.

The Red Sox failed to score after loading the bases without a hit in the fifth. They had a batter hit by a pitch, another that reached on a catcher’s interference call and a two-out walk before Adley Rutschman’s inning-ending groundout.

SLATEN DONE FOR SEASON

Boston Red Sox reliever Justin Slaten likely will miss the rest of the season after being on the injured list the past month because of right elbow inflammation.

Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said Tuesday that Slaten went with team medical staff to see Texas Rangers team physician Dr. Keith Meister, an orthopedic surgeon well known for treating elbows.

“There was some degenerative changes in the flexor mass. So he’s going to be down,” Tracy said before the opener of a three-game series in Texas. “He’s going to get a (platelet-rich plasma) injection and likely going to end his season.”

Slaten, one of eight Red Sox pitchers on the injured list, is 2-4 with a 4.60 ERA in 36 appearances this season. He last pitched a scoreless inning at Toronto on Aug. 12.

CROCHET THROWS SOME MORE

Left-handed starter Garrett Crochet, out since late April because of left shoulder inflammation and then a lat strain, threw about 30 pitches before Tuesday’s game.

“Everything went well, so we’ll wait and see on the next steps,” Tracy said. “That was the most volume he’s had. We’ll see over the next few days how he feels and then we’ll go from there.”

The American League Cy Young Award runner-up last season was 3-3 with a 6.30 ERA in six starts before going on the IL. He could potentially pitch in relief if the Red Sox make the playoffs.

GUERRERO COULD BE ACTIVATED

Right-handed reliever Tyron Guerrero is eligible for activation as soon as Wednesday after being on the IL since Sept. 1 because of right shoulder inflammation.

“We’ll see how everything goes with that today,” Tracy said.

Up next

Rangers LHP MacKenzie Gore (8-11, 4.62) is set to match the MLB lead with his 32nd start in the middle game Wednesday night. Rookie LHP Jake Bennett (9-7, 3.69) pitches for the Red Sox.