Astros, Yordan Alvarez outslug Rangers

Yordan Alvarez recorded a three-hit game and Victor Caratini slugged a three-run homer as the Houston Astros rallied for a 10-5 victory over the host Texas Rangers on Monday to earn a split of the four-game series in Arlington, Texas.

Alvarez produced a hit in each of his first three plate appearances, including a two-run homer in the second inning that pulled the Astros to within 5-4. It was his fourth homer of the season. An inning later, he greeted Rangers reliever Brock Burke with an RBI double to right field that knotted the score and set the table for Kyle Tucker to deliver a two-run single that gave the Astros the lead for good one batter later.

Caratini delivered his three-run blast off Rangers right-hander Grant Anderson in the fifth, capping the Astros' second consecutive three-run frame. Caratini plated Jose Abreu and Mauricio Dubon with his towering, 395-foot shot to right and went 2-for-4 with two runs scored.

Alex Bregman, like Alvarez, finished 3-for-5. The Astros finished 4-for-7 with runners in scoring position.

The Rangers responded to the Astros' two-run first inning with a five-spot in the bottom of that frame off right-hander Blair Henley, who made his major league debut in an emergency start for Framber Valdez, who was a late scratch with elbow discomfort. Henley labored mightily, recording only one out while allowing five runs on four hits and three walks. He also hit a batter.

Wyatt Langford produced an RBI single to start the uprising and Jared Walsh capped it with a two-run single that scored Adolis Garcia and Evan Carter. Henley departed after walking Leody Taveras with two outs, opening the door for Seth Martinez to enter in relief and immediately stop the bleeding.

Martinez (1-0), Tayler Scott, Brandon Bielak and Bryan Abreu worked a combined 8 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing only four hits and one walk while producing five strikeouts. That yeoman's effort by the bullpen helped the Astros claim the final two games of the series.

Texas starter Andrew Heaney (0-2) allowed six runs on four hits and three walks with two strikeouts over 3 2/3 innings. Corey Seager finished 3-for-5 with a run scored for the Rangers.