Grand Slam Night: Ryan Rua Goes Yard For Rangers; Maikel Franco Clears Bases For Phillies

Players of the Day for Wednesday, April 26, 2017

American League

Rua's Slam Lifts Rangers

Blowing open the game with an eight-run eighth inning highlighted by Ryan Rua's grand slam, the Texas Rangers avoided being swept at home by the Minnesota, taking game three of their series by a score of 14-3.

Rua's belt was his second hit of the game, going 2-for-5 wiht four RBI. A part-time player, Rua only has 34 at-bats this season. The homer was his first of the year. He hit eight last season in 99 games with the Rangers.

The Rangers' win got them a game closer to AL West leader, Houston, losers to Cleveland Wednesday night, 7-6. After a slow, 5-10 start, the Rangers are 10-12 winning five of their last seven, 4 1/2 games back, but only 1/2 game out of second place in the division.

Texas will complete a ten-game home stand with a three-game series against the Angels starting Friday. Game one is slated for an 8:05 pm ET start.

National League

Maikel Franco Fuels Phils

Philadelphia took the first of a two-game series with the Marlins Wednesday night, topping Miami, the 7-4 win fueled by Maikel Franco's grand slam, a 407-foot blast that cleared the wall in center field, turning a 2-0 deficit into a 4-2 lead.

The Phillies padded their edge with a run in the sixth and two more in the eighth, tying Miami for second place in the NL East, four games behind Washington. All of Philadelphia's runs came via the long ball.

For Franco, it was his fourth homer of the season, boosting his RBI total to 20 for the season.

The Phillies have won five straight and will be looking to extend their streak when they host the Marlins Thursday afternoon at Citizen's Bank Park. Game time is 1:05 pm ET.