The Houston Astros ended the Texas Rangers’ four-game winning streak with a 5-1 victory at Minute Maid Park on Thursday night.
The game marked the start of a four-game series between the Astros (25-14), which entered the game with the lead in the American League West. The Rangers (17-20) helped the Astros get there by sweeping the Los Angeles Angels earlier this week.
The Rangers and Astros scored runs in the first inning, with the Astros emerging with a 2-1 lead, one the Astros made stand up, but added to it with an explosive three-run eighth inning.
Corey Seager
Martin Maldonado put the hammer down on the Rangers with a two-out double to the gap in right-center field off reliever Matt Moore. He inherited a bases-loaded jam from Josh Sborz with one out.
Moore retired Jose Siri on a strikeout. But, Maldonado’s 1-2 double broke the game open and scored Kyle Tucker, Jeremy Pena and Chas McCormick.
That secured the win for Astros starter Framber Valdez (3-2) and wasted a fine outing from Tomball, Texas, native Glenn Otto (1-2), who had his longest outing of the season but took the loss.
The Astros’ bullpen struck out the final six Rangers.
The Rangers grabbed a 1-0 lead after Eli White led the game off with a walk off Valdez. Marcus Semien grounded out, but White moved to second, and then he moved to third after a balk by Valdez. Corey Seager then brought White home on a single to left.
The Astros answered in the bottom half of the first, scoring two runs off Otto.
Otto surrendered a double to Jose Altuve (who went 4-for-5), and then Altuve advanced to third on a wild pitch by Otto. He then hit Alex Bregman with a pitch, though replay showed the contact was barely with Bregman’s jersey.
After fanning Yordan Alvarez, Aledmys Diaz singled to left, which scored Altuve. But, White was able to throw out Bregman at third. Kyle Tucker then singled to score Diaz from second to give the Astros the lead.
Glenn Otto
Both starters pitched well. Otto had his longest start of the season — six innings — giving up seven hits, two runs (both earned) and three walks, while striking out two. He threw 97 pitches.
Valdez went seven innings, giving up six hits, one run and two walks while striking out seven.
The Rangers collected six hits but stranded seven runners and were 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position.
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