CANADA (AP) — The Texas Rangers defeated Toronto 6-3 on Tuesday night to move ahead of the Blue Jays in the AL wild-card race. Robbie Grossman hit a two-run home run, while Max Scherzer pitched 5 1/3 innings of scoreless baseball before being removed due to a right triceps spasm.

With two games left in the season, the Rangers (80-64) defeated Toronto (80-65) and claimed the season series thanks in large part to Corey Seager, who had three hits, two RBIs, and three runs scored. Seager concluded with a 3-for-4 record and a deliberate walk.

Scherzer (13-6) ended a winless string of four games. The three-time Cy Young Award winner struck out two while walking one and giving up three hits. 49 of his 73 pitches were strikes.

“We needed a good team win, and we got it,” Scherzer said.

In the sixth inning, Bochy and the trainer arrived at the mound after Scherzer felt discomfort on his first ball to Bichette. Right-hander Leclerc took over after a frustrated-looking Scherzer left after a brief discussion.

As he warmed up for the sixth inning, Scherzer said he started to feel tightness and hoped it would go away.

Bichette “just felt like a charley horse when I threw that first curveball to him,” Scherzer recalled.

Scherzer tried to throw two warm-up pitches but was unsuccessful.

Scherzer said of his sore muscle, “When I went on the mound and was trying to go through my motion, I could just tell it didn’t release. I had a gut feeling that I wouldn’t be able to throw another baseball.

Manager of the Rangers Bruce Bochy stated that he opted to proceed cautiously rather than requesting that Scherzer continue.

Bochy stated, “We didn’t want him to pitch through it. We didn’t want to risk anything there. It’s unfortunate because he had some pretty great stuff.

Scherzer will have an MRI on Wednesday, according to Bochy.

In his previous appearance, a defeat to Houston on Wednesday, Scherzer gave up a season-high seven earned runs.

Leclerc threw one inning, Brock Burke recorded one out, Chris Stratton pitched one and a third, and in the ninth, Chapman allowed youngster Schneider to hit a solo home run.

His ninth home run came from Schneider.

Toronto had seven hits, five of which went for extra bases, but the Blue Jays only went 1 for 6 when they had runners in scoring position.

Manager John Schneider stated, “We just haven’t really strung the hits in a row together so far.”

Hyun Jin Ryu (3-3) of the Blue Jays’ left side gave up three runs and five hits in six innings. He had one walk and five strikeouts.

Texas attacked Ryu early in the count to start the fourth’s scoring. The first pitch of the inning saw Seager single to start the game, marking his 1,000th career hit. Grossman then hit his eighth home run on the opening pitch.

In the sixth, Seager doubled to open the inning, and Jonah Heim’s sacrifice fly allowed him to score.

In the eighth inning, Leody Taveras and pinch-hitter Josh Smith both doubled off Yimi Garca. The left-handed Mayza entered the game to face Seager, who added an RBI to make it 5-0.

In the eighth inning, Blue Jays infielder Cavan Biggio scored on a single by Burke, and pinch-hitter Ernie Clement added another run with a groundout.

With an RBI single off Trevor Richards in the ninth, Ranger outfielder Travis Jankowski increased the score to 6-2.

READERS’ ROOM

Blue Jays: Toronto recalled OF Nathan Lukes from Triple-A Buffalo and placed OF Brandon Belt (back spasms) on the 10-day IL. After missing time due to a bad back and an illness, Belt began at DH on Monday. However, he left the game due to back spasms after striking out twice in two at-bats.

DOUBLE DOWN

With two doubles, Seager’s AL-leading total increased to 39.

OFFENSE AND DAMAGE

Blue Jays first baseman A pitch from Scherzer that broke in and whacked the rookie left-hander on his back knee during the fourth inning caused Spencer Horwitz to strike out swinging.

NEXT UP

To face Rangers LHP Jordan Montgomery (8-11, 3.62) on Wednesday is Toronto LHP Yusei Kikuchi (9-5, 3.57 ERA).