CLEVELAND (Interstat) — Alejandro Osuna launched a three-run homer in a four-run first inning, rookie Jack Leiter struck out 10 over six strong innings and the Texas Rangers played spoiler with a 7-3 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Friday night at Progressive Field.

In a game that defied pregame projections, the Rangers (81-79) jumped on Guardians starter Slade Cecconi early and never relinquished control, handing Cleveland a critical loss as it fights for the American League Central title. The Guardians (86-74) remained tied with Detroit for the division lead after the Boston Red Sox rallied for a 4-3 victory over the Tigers. Cleveland’s magic number to clinch a postseason spot remained at two, a combination of its own wins and Houston Astros losses, while its magic number to win the division also stayed at two.

A crowd of 36,275 watched as the Rangers sent nine men to the plate in the opening frame against Cecconi. Joc Pederson worked a leadoff walk and Cody Freeman singled before Josh Jung struck out. Rowdy Tellez then doubled to center field, scoring Pederson. After Ezequiel Duran lined out, Osuna connected on his second home run of the season, a towering fly ball to right-center field that cleared the wall and staked Texas to a 4-0 lead.

Cleveland answered quickly in the bottom half against Leiter. After a popout, George Valera singled and José Ramírez struck out. Kyle Manzardo then crushed his 27th homer of the year, a two-run shot to center field that cut the deficit to 4-2.

From there, Leiter (10-10) settled in. The right-hander allowed just those two runs on three hits and one walk, matching his career high in strikeouts. He retired 12 of the final 14 batters he faced, striking out the side in the sixth inning to cap his dominant 101-pitch outing.

Cecconi (7-7) took the loss, lasting four innings and surrendering four runs on five hits with three strikeouts.

The Rangers broke the game open with a three-run seventh inning against reliever Jakob Junis. Billy McKinney and Michael Helman singled, and Pederson followed with another single to load the bases. Freeman then delivered the key blow, a two-run single to right field that scored McKinney and Helman. Pederson later scored on a single by Jake Burger to extend the Texas lead to 7-2.

Cleveland’s bullpen, aside from Junis, provided some stability. Zak Kent tossed 2 1/3 scoreless innings, and Erik Sabrowski struck out four over 1 1/3 perfect frames.

The Guardians pushed across a final run in the ninth inning against Texas reliever Justin Slaten. Ramírez walked, and after two flyouts, Gabriel Arias singled to center to drive him in. Daniel Schneemann struck out swinging to end the game.

Texas outhit Cleveland 12-5. Freeman led the Rangers’ offense, going 3 for 5 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Pederson also had a multi-hit game, finishing 2 for 4 with a walk and two runs.

The result was a surprise based on pregame forecasts. Interstat’s game simulator had projected a 7-2 Guardians victory, and its ELO system gave Cleveland a 54.3% probability to win. The Guardians were also installed as a -1.5 run favorite, and the total score of 10 runs went over the closing over/under line of 8.

The loss snaps a stretch of strong play for the Guardians, who had won seven of their last 10 games. The Rangers, eliminated from postseason contention, improved to 4-2 against Cleveland this season after sweeping a three-game series from the Guardians in Arlington in August.

The two teams continue their three-game series Saturday afternoon at Progressive Field.