Rangers Sweep Astros, Just Five Back in AL West — Rangers News

With losing three-and-a-row against Texas, the Astros lead in the AL West over the Angels has dropped to 2 games.

“What a gutsy performance by Sam” said manager Jeff Banister.

The offense made a comeback and the bullpen backed it up as the Rangers defeated the Houston Astros 4-3 on Tuesday night. Chris Gimenez then hit a home run in the second inning to make it 4-0 and that was all the Rangers needed to get the victory.

“It’s big” said Gallardo.

Shawn Tolleson earned his 20th save, all since May 20, despite giving up a walk and Valbuena’s second single before recording an out in the ninth. Altuve singled and scored on Gomez’s double. “I thought I might, but I changed my mind last second”, said Beltre, who rapidly circled both of his arms like he was trying to reverse his momentum. The Rangers will counter with Nick Martinez who will be pitching on his 25 birthday.

“It wasn’t a clean outing for him”, Banister said. The right-hander struck out five in his 5 2/3 innings.

Straily was such an afterthought at Class AAA Fresno when the Astros began their three-game series against the Rangers, he actually threw a bullpen session Monday.

But Prince Fielder led off the fourth with a home run off the facing of the upper deck in right field, and Texas added three runs in the fifth to defeat the Astros 4-3. Earlier this season for the A’s, Kazmir gave up only three runs over 21 innings in three starts against the Rangers. The first error came as Delino DeShields reached base to start the game after a throwing error by Scott Kazmir. The Rangers then went right back to it and had Ryan Strausborger’s first Major League Baseball AB be a sacrifice bunt.

Scott Kazmir took his first lost as an Astro, dropping his record to 6-6. Overall, his numbers in his now 14 starts have been very good. “It’s tough”.

Carlos Correa and Jed Lowrie drew consecutive walks before Evan Gattis’ RBI single. A single and a walk loaded the bases with one out before Freeman retired Valbuena on a fly ball and Marwin Gonzalez on a groundout. Second baseman Jose Altuve singled and came home on Gomez’s drive into the left-center field gap that Hamilton couldn’t run down.

Less than 24 hours before righthander Dan Straily showed up at Globe Life Park on Tuesday afternoon, Astros manager A.J. Hinch was still fielding questions about a six-man rotation. “Eight walks and a hit-by-pitch; we just didn’t score enough runs”. “I wasn’t able to get that done, but I left the game with us within striking distance”. The Rangers hot run continued as they have now won six of seven to keep pace in the Wild Card race. There were a lot of defensive highlights.

HOUSTON SIXTH: Carlos Gomez led off with a homer against his former Milwaukee teammate: RHP Yovani Gallardo.

Astros: OF Preston Tucker is day to day with a bruised triceps muscle after getting hit by a pitch in Tuesday night’s game.

Rangers: LHP Derek Holland (strained shoulder) made his second injury-rehab start for Triple-A Round Rock. He’s expected to start Sunday for Double-A Frisco.

The 18-year veteran has played for the Dodgers, Mariners, Red Sox and Rangers during his illustrious career, and has been named to four All-Star teams during that span.