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Langford and Taveras homer, struggling Heim has key hit as Rangers beat Blue Jays 13-8

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Langford and Taveras homer, struggling Heim has key hit as Rangers beat Blue Jays 13-8
Sport

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Langford and Taveras homer, struggling Heim has key hit as Rangers beat Blue Jays 13-8

2024-09-18 12:35 Last Updated At:12:41

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Rookie Wyatt Langford homered, doubled twice and became the first Texas player this season to reach base five times, struggling Jonah Heim delivered a two-run single to break a sixth-inning tie and the Rangers beat the Toronto Blue Jays 13-8 on Tuesday night.

Leody Taveras also had a homer among his three hits for the Rangers.

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Texas Rangers' Kirby Yates (39) and Jonah Heim, right, celebrate the team's win against the Toronto Blue Jays in a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Texas Rangers' Kirby Yates (39) and Jonah Heim, right, celebrate the team's win against the Toronto Blue Jays in a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Texas Rangers' Leody Taveras rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the Toronto Blue Jays in the eighth inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Texas Rangers' Leody Taveras rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the Toronto Blue Jays in the eighth inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Texas Rangers' Nathaniel Lowe follows through on a run-scoring single in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Texas Rangers' Nathaniel Lowe follows through on a run-scoring single in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Toronto Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) and Davis Schneider, right, celebrate after Schneider hit a two-run home run against the Texas Rangers in the fifth inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Toronto Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) and Davis Schneider, right, celebrate after Schneider hit a two-run home run against the Texas Rangers in the fifth inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Toronto Blue Jays' George Springer, left, and Nathan Lukes (38) celebrate after Springer scored on a Alejandro Kirk double in the first inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Toronto Blue Jays' George Springer, left, and Nathan Lukes (38) celebrate after Springer scored on a Alejandro Kirk double in the first inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Toronto Blue Jays' Alejandro Kirk follows through on a run-scoring double as Texas Rangers' Jonah Heim, right, looks on in the first inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Toronto Blue Jays' Alejandro Kirk follows through on a run-scoring double as Texas Rangers' Jonah Heim, right, looks on in the first inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Toronto Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. follows through on a single as Texas Rangers catcher Jonah Heim looks on in the first inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Toronto Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. follows through on a single as Texas Rangers catcher Jonah Heim looks on in the first inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Chris Bassitt tosses the ball as he stands on the mound after walking Texas Rangers' Wyatt Langford in the fourth inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Chris Bassitt tosses the ball as he stands on the mound after walking Texas Rangers' Wyatt Langford in the fourth inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi throws to the Toronto Blue Jays in the first inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi throws to the Toronto Blue Jays in the first inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Toronto Blue Jays right fielder George Springer grabs a two-run single by Texas Rangers' Adolis Garcia in the fourth inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Toronto Blue Jays right fielder George Springer grabs a two-run single by Texas Rangers' Adolis Garcia in the fourth inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Texas Rangers' Adolis Garcia follows through on a two-run single as Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk, right, looks on in the fourth inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Texas Rangers' Adolis Garcia follows through on a two-run single as Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk, right, looks on in the fourth inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Texas Rangers' Jonah Heim follows through on a two-run single against the Toronto Blue Jays in the sixth inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Texas Rangers' Jonah Heim follows through on a two-run single against the Toronto Blue Jays in the sixth inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Langford, who also walked twice, has 12 homers and 25 doubles this season. He is hitting .345 in September.

“I think it’s really important to finish on a strong note,” Langford said. “I’m just going to keep trying to do that.”

Heim was 1 for 34 in September before he lined a single to right field off Tommy Nance (0-2) to score Adolis García and Nathaniel Lowe, giving Texas a 9-7 lead. Heim went to the plate hitting .212 with 53 RBIs after being voted an All-Star starter last season with a career-best 95 RBIs. He added a double in the eighth ahead of Taveras’ homer during a three-run inning.

Texas had 13 hits and left 13 men on. It was the Rangers’ highest-scoring game since a 15-8 win at Oakland on May 7.

Matt Festa (5-1) pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings to earn the win, giving him a 5-0 record in 13 appearances with the Rangers after being granted free agency by the New York Mets on July 7.

Nathan Eovaldi, a star of Texas’ 2023 run to the franchise’s first World Series championship, had his worst start of the year in what could have been his final home start with the Rangers. Eovaldi, who will be a free agent next season, allowed 11 hits (the most of his two seasons with Texas) and seven runs (tied for the most).

“I felt like early in the game they just had a few hits that found the holes, a few first-pitch base hits,” said Eovaldi, who is vested for a $20 million player option with Texas for 2025. “I think at the end of the day I just need to do a better job of executing my pitches.”

Eovaldi took a 7-3 lead into the fifth inning after the Rangers scored five unearned runs in the fourth. The Jays then scored four runs to knock out Eovaldi after 4 2/3 innings.

Six of the seven runs scored against Toronto starter Chris Bassitt in 3 2/3 innings were unearned. Bassitt had a throwing error during Texas’ two-run third inning.

“We didn’t help ourselves defensively, taking care of the ball to secure some outs,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said.

The Blue Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had a double and two singles, his most hits in a game since having four on Sept. 3. Guerrero is hitting .384 since the All-Star break.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Blue Jays: SS Bo Bichette (calf) was activated and played for the first time since July 19, going 2 for 5 with an RBI. … OF Daulton Varsho (shoulder) was placed on the 10-day injured list and will have rotator cuff surgery … INF Will Wagner (knee inflammation) was placed on the 60-day list.

UP NEXT

Rangers: LHP Chad Bradford (5-3, 3.97 ERA) will pitch Wednesday night’s game on extended five days’ rest after allowing career highs in hits (nine), runs (eight) and home runs (three) in 3 2/3 innings losing at Arizona on Sept. 14.

Blue Jays: RHP Bowden Francis (8-4, 3.50) has had two no-hitters get away in the ninth inning this season, including in his previous start against the New York Mets on Sept. 11. Francis is the first major leaguer to have that happen since Rangers Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan in 1989.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Texas Rangers' Kirby Yates (39) and Jonah Heim, right, celebrate the team's win against the Toronto Blue Jays in a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Texas Rangers' Kirby Yates (39) and Jonah Heim, right, celebrate the team's win against the Toronto Blue Jays in a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Texas Rangers' Leody Taveras rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the Toronto Blue Jays in the eighth inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Texas Rangers' Leody Taveras rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the Toronto Blue Jays in the eighth inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Texas Rangers' Nathaniel Lowe follows through on a run-scoring single in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Texas Rangers' Nathaniel Lowe follows through on a run-scoring single in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Toronto Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) and Davis Schneider, right, celebrate after Schneider hit a two-run home run against the Texas Rangers in the fifth inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Toronto Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) and Davis Schneider, right, celebrate after Schneider hit a two-run home run against the Texas Rangers in the fifth inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Toronto Blue Jays' George Springer, left, and Nathan Lukes (38) celebrate after Springer scored on a Alejandro Kirk double in the first inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Toronto Blue Jays' George Springer, left, and Nathan Lukes (38) celebrate after Springer scored on a Alejandro Kirk double in the first inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Toronto Blue Jays' Alejandro Kirk follows through on a run-scoring double as Texas Rangers' Jonah Heim, right, looks on in the first inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Toronto Blue Jays' Alejandro Kirk follows through on a run-scoring double as Texas Rangers' Jonah Heim, right, looks on in the first inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Toronto Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. follows through on a single as Texas Rangers catcher Jonah Heim looks on in the first inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Toronto Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. follows through on a single as Texas Rangers catcher Jonah Heim looks on in the first inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Chris Bassitt tosses the ball as he stands on the mound after walking Texas Rangers' Wyatt Langford in the fourth inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Chris Bassitt tosses the ball as he stands on the mound after walking Texas Rangers' Wyatt Langford in the fourth inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi throws to the Toronto Blue Jays in the first inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi throws to the Toronto Blue Jays in the first inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Toronto Blue Jays right fielder George Springer grabs a two-run single by Texas Rangers' Adolis Garcia in the fourth inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Toronto Blue Jays right fielder George Springer grabs a two-run single by Texas Rangers' Adolis Garcia in the fourth inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Texas Rangers' Adolis Garcia follows through on a two-run single as Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk, right, looks on in the fourth inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Texas Rangers' Adolis Garcia follows through on a two-run single as Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk, right, looks on in the fourth inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Texas Rangers' Jonah Heim follows through on a two-run single against the Toronto Blue Jays in the sixth inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Texas Rangers' Jonah Heim follows through on a two-run single against the Toronto Blue Jays in the sixth inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate quickly confirmed Marco Rubio as secretary of state Monday, voting unanimously to give President Donald Trump the first member of his new Cabinet on Inauguration Day.

Rubio, the Republican senator from Florida, is among the least controversial of Trump’s nominees and vote was decisive, 99-0. Another pick, John Ratcliffe for CIA director, is also expected to have a swift vote, as soon as Tuesday. Action on others, including former combat veteran and Fox News host Pete Hegseth for defense secretary, is possible later in the week.

“Marco Rubio is a very intelligent man with a remarkable understanding of American foreign policy,” Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, the senior-most Republican, said as the chamber opened.

It’s often tradition for the Senate to convene immediately after the ceremonial pomp of the inauguration to begin putting the new president’s team in place, particularly the national security officials. During Trump’s first term, the Senate swiftly confirmed his defense and homeland security secretaries on day one, and President Joe Biden’s choice for director of national intelligence was confirmed on his own Inauguration Day.

With Trump’s return to the White House, and his Republican Party controlling majorities in Congress, his outsider Cabinet choices are more clearly falling into place, despite initial skepticism and opposition from both sides of the aisle.

Rubio, who was surrounded by colleagues in the Senate chamber, said afterward he feels “good, but there’s a lot of work ahead.”

“It’s an important job in an important time, and I’m honored by it,” Rubio said.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune moved quickly Monday, announcing he expected voting to begin “imminently” on Trump’s nominees.

Democrats have calculated it's better for them to be seen as more willing to work with Trump, rather than simply mounting a blockade to his nominees. They're holding their opposition for some of his other picks who have less support, including Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for health secretary.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said his party will “neither rubber-stamp nominees we feel are grossly unqualified, nor oppose nominees that deserve serious consideration.”

Rubio, he said, is an example of "a qualified nominee we think should be confirmed quickly."

Senate committees have been holding lengthy confirmation hearings on more than a dozen of the Cabinet nominees, with more to come this week. And several panels are expected to meet late Monday to begin voting to advance the nominees to the full Senate for confirmation.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee unanimously advanced Rubio's nomination late Monday. The Senate Armed Services Committee and Senate Intelligence Committee, respectively, voted to move the nominations of Hegseth and Ratcliffe. And the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee advanced nominees Kristi Noem as homeland security secretary and Russell Vought as director of the Office of Management and Budget, but with opposition.

Rubio, a well-liked senator and former Trump rival during the 2016 presidential race, has drawn closer to the president in recent years. He appeared last week to answer questions before the Foreign Relations Committee, where he has spent more than a decade as a member.

As secretary of state, Rubio would be the nation’s top diplomat, and the first Latino to hold the position. Born in Miami to Cuban immigrants, he has long been involved in foreign affairs, particularly in South America, and has emerged as a hawk on China’s rise.

During his confirmation hearing last week, Rubio warned of the consequences of America’s “unbalanced relationship” with China. While he echoes Trump’s anti-globalist rhetoric, Rubio is also seen as an internationalist who understands the power of U.S. involvement on the global stage.

Rubio cultivated bipartisan support from across the aisle, both Republicans and Democrats. He takes over for outgoing Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who has said he hopes the Trump administration continues Biden's policies in the Middle East to end the war in Gaza and to help Ukraine counter Russian nomination.

The Senate is split 53-47, but the resignation of Vice President JD Vance and, soon, Rubio drops the GOP majority further until their successors arrive. Republicans need almost all every party member in line to overcome Democratic opposition to nominees.

Objection from any one senator, as is expected with Hegseth and several other choices, would force the Senate into procedural steps that would drag voting later into the week.

Associated Press writers Farnoush Amiri and Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this report.

President-elect Donald Trump's Cabinet picks, other nominees and appointments, pose for a photo at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. First row from left, Elise Stefanik, John Ratcliffe, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Howard Lutnick, Pete Hegseth, Doug Burgum, Brooke L. Rollins, Marco Rubio and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.; second row from left, Scott Turner, Tulsi Gabbard, Sean Duffy, Linda McMahon, Lee Zeldin, Kristi Noem, Chris Wright, Doug Collins, Kelly Loeffler and Scott Bessent; and third row from left, Stephen Miran, Jamieson Greer, Kevin Hassett, Kash Patel and Russell Vought. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

President-elect Donald Trump's Cabinet picks, other nominees and appointments, pose for a photo at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. First row from left, Elise Stefanik, John Ratcliffe, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Howard Lutnick, Pete Hegseth, Doug Burgum, Brooke L. Rollins, Marco Rubio and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.; second row from left, Scott Turner, Tulsi Gabbard, Sean Duffy, Linda McMahon, Lee Zeldin, Kristi Noem, Chris Wright, Doug Collins, Kelly Loeffler and Scott Bessent; and third row from left, Stephen Miran, Jamieson Greer, Kevin Hassett, Kash Patel and Russell Vought. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., a nominee for Secretary of State, attends the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Kevin Lamarque/Pool Photo via AP)

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., a nominee for Secretary of State, attends the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Kevin Lamarque/Pool Photo via AP)

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