The Texas Rangers have opened the unofficial second half of the Major League Baseball season by inching a game closer to the AL West lead.
Lance Lynn combined with two relievers on a seven-hitter as the Rangers blanked the first-place Houston Astros, 5-0.
Lynn tied a season high with 11 strikeouts while scattering six hits over seven innings. He improved to 12-4, moving him past Lucas Giolito of the White Sox for the most wins in the majors.
Rougned Odor capped the Rangers' four-run first with a two-run double.
The win gets the Rangers eight games behind the Astros, with the Athletics just seven games back.