ARLINGTON, Texas — Julio Rodriguez hit a go-ahead, three-run homer in the fifth inning and added a two-run shot the other way in the seventh, helping the Mariners keep alive their slim playoff hopes with an 8-2 victory over the Texas Rangers before a crowd of 33,387 at Globe Life Field on Friday night.

Josh Rojas got the Mariners on the board with a solo homer off Jacob deGrom in the third inning, and George Kirby pitched six quality innings for his second strong start against the Rangers this week.

With the win, the Mariners improved to 79-75.

The Mariners have eight games remaining in the regular season: two more here against the Rangers; three in Houston starting Monday; and three vs. the A’s back home in Seattle.

Rodriguez hit both homers off Rangers rookie Jack Leiter. The first came on a

It was his first multi-homer game of the season, fourth of his career. His five RBI is a season high and matched his career high.

Victor Robles was back at the top of the lineup Friday after missing most of the last three games against the Yankees following a hit-by-pitch in his right hand.

He made his presence felt with a bunt single, another single, a sac fly RBI and forced an E5 on another bunt attempt.

Kirby had allowed only one base runner in seven dominant innings against the Rangers on Sunday in Seattle.

He followed that up with six sharp innings Friday night. He only ran into real trouble in the fourth inning, allowing a two-run single to Nathaniel Lowe.

Rojas and Robles had back-to-back sac fly in the eighth inning to make it 7-2.

The Mariners improved to 53-4 when scoring at least five runs.

deGrom, in his second start back from elbow reconstruction surgery, scattered three hits with one run over three innings. He was pulled after throwing 58 pitches and replaced by Leiter.

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