Corey Seager hit his eighth home run in eight games, Dane Dunning pitched five scoreless innings, and the Texas Rangers defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-1 on Wednesday to complete a two-game sweep, reminiscent of last year’s World Series rematch.

In the third inning, after the Rangers took a 1-0 lead on Jonah Heim’s RBI double, the Diamondbacks intentionally walked Seager with two outs and an open base. Seager capitalized on the opportunity in the fifth inning when he came up with a runner on base and two outs, smashing the first pitch he saw into the right-field seats, extending the lead to 4-0. This mirrored Tuesday night’s series opener, where Seager was walked with two outs in the third before hitting a crucial three-run homer in the fifth inning to secure a 4-2 victory.

The reigning World Series champions, the Texas Rangers (27-29), have now won three consecutive games after dropping five consecutive series. Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks (25-30) have lost seven of their last eleven games.

Notably, Texas played its first game in over two years without Marcus Semien in the lineup. Semien, the leadoff-hitting second baseman, ended his streak of 349 consecutive games since May 13, 2022, due to lingering effects from an outfield collision with right fielder Adolis García on May 18.

Dane Dunning (4-3), making his second start since returning from the injured list with a right rotator cuff strain, pitched impressively, striking out six batters over five innings. Despite issuing four walks and allowing three hits, Dunning managed to escape a bases-loaded jam in the third inning, inducing an inning-ending fielder’s choice grounder from Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

The Rangers utilized five relievers, with Kirby Yates coming in to secure the final out after the Diamondbacks scored their lone run and had runners on the corners in the ninth inning.

“We’re just playing good baseball,” said Seager, who never really likes to talk about himself. “Hitting’s contagious. … and it’s just starting to roll.”

Texas played its first game in more than two years without Marcus Semien in the lineup. The leadoff-hitting second basemen ended his streak of 349 consecutive games since May 13, 2022, after playing banged up and still sore from an outfield collision May 18 with right fielder Adolis García.

“That was a little strange,” Seager said. “Everyone once in a while it’s OK.”

Dunning (4-3), in his second start back from being on the injured list with a right rotator cuff strain, struck out six. He walked four and allowed three hits, and got out of a bases-loaded jam in the third. The start had been pushed back a day after a serious sinus infection.

“I definitely got a little fatigued,” said Dunning, who threw 92 pitches. “When I came out of the game, I felt like I ran a half-marathon. I think it affected me a little bit more than I thought it was going to.”

Kirby Yates, the fifth Texas reliever, came on to get the final out after Arizona had scored its only run and had runners on the corners in the ninth.

Diamondbacks starter Ryne Nelson (3-4) gave up the long ball to Seager. The right-hander struck out three, walked three while giving up four runs and five hits over six innings.