Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob Latz throws against the Milwaukee Brewers during the first inning Monday in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers won 5-0. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — All of those rookie fill-ins are keeping the injury-plagued Texas Rangers in playoff contention.

Center fielder Michael Helman hit a grand slam while driving in all of their runs against baseball’s best team and Jacob Latz, while not a rookie but still a youngster, threw 5 2/3 scoreless innings Monday night in a 5-0 win over the Milwaukee Brewers that got Texas as close as it has been to the AL West lead in more than three months.

“These kids have done a great job,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “Just doing a nice job of doing something every game they’re playing, it seems like, to help us win

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