ARLINGTON, Texas — Max Scherzer moved into 11th place on the career strikeout list just before an erratic stretch when he forced in a pair of runs, and the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Texas Rangers 6-2 on Sunday for a three-game series sweep.
Corey Seager hit his 23rd homer for the AL West-leading Rangers (72-52), who matched a season high with their fourth consecutive loss.
No. 9 batter Tyrone Taylor had a two-run triple and scored three times for Milwaukee (68-57), which maintained its three-game division lead over the second-place Chicago Cubs.
Brewers starter Adrian Houser (5-4) struck out seven and allowed one run over five innings. Closer Devin Williams got his 30th save in 33 chances after coming in to get the final out with two on and an unearned run already in.
Scherzer (12-5) had won his first three starts for Texas since his trade from the New York Mets. He got his 3,343rd strikeout when Brice Turang whiffed opening the third inning, the third of four strikeouts for the three-time Cy Young Award winner. Scherzer, the active strikeouts leader, passed Hall of Fame knuckleballer Phil Niekro for 11th place.
“I’m here to win,” Scherzer said. “I’m not here for milestones. I’m not here for accomplishments.”
That third inning featured 42 pitches for Scherzer, who finished with a season-high four walks in 3 2/3 innings. Milwaukee, which has won three games started by Scherzer this year, scored its first run when Scherzer hit Willy Adames on the helmet with a fastball. Five pitches later, Scherzer walked Rowdy Tellez on a 3-1 fastball that just missed low and outside.
Consecutive two-out doubles by Taylor and Christian Yelich in the fourth made it 3-1, and chased Scherzer after 99 pitches.
“Weird start. You know, it’s not like I got hit around,” Scherzer said. “They had a really good approach against me and just found a way to take their walks. It just didn’t feel like I was putting guys away, especially when I got the two strikes.”
Brewers manager Craig Counsell concurred.
“We made him work and that paid off,” he said. “To get Max Scherzer out in the fourth inning, that’s a great job by the offense.”
Texas has lost six of 10 games but remained 2½ games ahead of second-place Houston in the AL West. The defending champions were swept at home by Seattle this weekend.
“We just couldn’t get this offense going,” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said. “We’re in a little bit of a funk right now, but maybe it’s good we’re getting on the road and see if we can tighten some things up and get back on track.”
Left-handed veteran Jordan Montgomerythe other starter Texas acquired at the deadline, will make his fourth start for the Rangers when they are at Arizona on Monday to open a three-city, nine-game trip.
