Cole Ragans

Kansas City Royals relief pitcher James McArthur reacts after striking out Houston Astros' Kyle Tucker in the ninth inning to end a baseball game Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, in Houston. The Royals won 7-5. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Ragans goes 6 innings, Royals use two big innings to beat Astros 7-5, knock Houston out of 1st

Cole Ragans gave up three hits and two runs over six strong innings, and the Kansas City Royals used two big innings to defeat Houston 7-5 and knock the Astros out of first place in the AL West.

Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Davis Schneider scores on a wild pitch against the Kansas City Royals as umpire Chris Segal makes the call during the sixth inning of a baseball game in Toronto on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)

KC’s Ragans throws three straight wild pitches, Blue Jays sweep Royals with 5-2 win

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox Monday, Sept. 4, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Cole Ragans continues to dominate as Royals take opener over White Sox 12-1

Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr., right, is congratulated by Michael Massey (19) after hitting a home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Witt homers and Cole Ragans strikes out 11 as Royals blank A’s 4-0

Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr., right, jumps up to celebrate his home run with Matt Duffy during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Bobby Witt Jr. hits go-ahead homer and Royals end skid with 4-3 win vs Cubs

Red Sox host the Royals on home losing streak

The Boston Red Sox look to stop their three-game home losing streak with a victory over the Kansas City Royals.

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Ragans gets 1st win with KC, pitches Royals past Mets 4-0 for team’s 5th straight win

Cole Ragans pitched out of trouble for six spotless innings and the Kansas City Royals beat the New York Mets 4-0 for their fifth consecutive victory, extending their longest winning streak in more than two years.

Wednesday’s Transactions

BASEBALL

Major League Baseball

American League

BALTIMORE ORIOLES — Activated RHP Jack Flaherty. Optioned RHP Bryan Baker to Norfolk (IL).

Royals try to keep home win streak going, host the Mets

The Kansas City Royals, on a four-game home winning streak, host the New York Mets.

Yankees visit the Rangers for season opener

New York Yankees vs. Texas Rangers

Arlington, Texas; Tuesday, 2:05 p.m. EDT

PITCHING PROBABLES: Yankees: Jameson Taillon (14-5, 3.83 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 146 strikeouts); Rangers: Jon Gray (7-7, 3.86 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 131 strikeouts)

Angels host the Rangers, aim to continue home win streak

Texas Rangers (66-90, fourth in the AL West) vs. Los Angeles Angels (71-86, third in the AL West)

Anaheim, California; Saturday, 9:07 p.m. EDT

Guardians take 6-game win streak into game against the Rangers

Arlington, Texas; Sunday, 2:35 p.m. EDT

Angels try to end 4-game road losing streak, play the Rangers

Los Angeles Angels (64-83, third in the AL West) vs. Texas Rangers (63-83, fourth in the AL West)

Arlington, Texas; Tuesday, 8:05 p.m. EDT

Athletics visit the Rangers to begin 2-game series

Oakland Athletics (51-90, fifth in the AL West) vs. Texas Rangers (61-80, fourth in the AL West)

Arlington, Texas; Tuesday, 8:05 p.m. EDT

Houston Astros' Jose Altuve (27) scores the winning run on a wild pitch by Texas Rangers relief pitcher Jonathan Hernandez (72) during the 10th inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

Altuve scores on wild pitch in 10th, Astros beat Texas 4-3

HOUSTON (AP) — José Altuve scored the winning run on a wild pitch with two outs in the 10th inning as the Houston Astros rallied for a 4-3 win over the Texas Rangers on Wednesday night.

Astros and Rangers play to determine series winner

Texas Rangers (59-76, fourth in the AL West) vs. Houston Astros (87-49, first in the AL West)

Houston; Wednesday, 8:10 p.m. EDT

Rangers bring 2-1 series advantage over Twins into game 4

Texas Rangers (55-66, third in the AL West) vs. Minnesota Twins (62-57, second in the AL Central)

Minneapolis; Monday, 7:10 p.m. EDT

Texas Rangers face the Oakland Athletics Wednesday

Oakland Athletics (42-75, fifth in the AL West) vs. Texas Rangers (52-64, third in the AL West)

Arlington, Texas; Wednesday, 8:05 p.m. EDT

Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez throws against the Texas Rangers during the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Valdez throws 7 scoreless, AL-best Astros beat Rangers 7-3

HOUSTON (AP) — After moving one-half game ahead of the slumping New York Yankees for the AL’s best record with a win over the Texas Rangers, the Houston Astros were already looking ahead to their next challenge.

Astros take on the Rangers with series tied 1-1

Texas Rangers (49-61, third in the AL West) vs. Houston Astros (71-41, first in the AL West)

Houston; Thursday, 2:10 p.m. EDT

Texas Rangers' Bubba Thompson bunts for a single in the seventh inning of the team's baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022, in Arlington, Texas.(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Rangers win 3-2 over WSox in debuts of 2 former 1st-rounders

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Meibrys Viloria had a tiebreaking pinch-hit single in the seventh inning and Texas beat the Chicago White Sox 3-2 on Thursday night, when the Rangers became the first team since 1986 to have two of its first-round picks make their big league debuts as starters in the same gam

Texas Rangers' Kumar Rocker acknowledges applause from fans after being introduced on the public address system, during the second inning of the Rangers' baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022, in Arlington, Texas. Rocker will spend a few more days around the Texas Rangers before going to Arizona, where the third overall draft pick is expected to make his organizational debut in the fall instructional league. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Rangers introduce Rocker same day that 2 past No. 1s debut

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Kumar Rocker will spend a few more days around the Texas Rangers before going to Arizona, where the third overall draft pick is expected to make his organizational debut in the fall instructional league.

Rangers aim to end slide in game against the White Sox

Chicago White Sox (53-51, third in the AL Central) vs. Texas Rangers (46-58, third in the AL West)

Arlington, Texas; Thursday, 8:05 p.m. EDT