Odor homers, gets into testy exchange as Rangers beat Astros

The second half of the season has just begun, but already the Astros and Texas Rangers face a game Sunday afternoon that could help define the rest of the season for what is becoming an increasingly heated Interstate 45 rivalry.

RANGERS THIRD: After fouling two tries at a sacrifice bunt, Rougned Odor homered on a 1-2 pitch from change-up from Scott Feldman.

They had at least one man on base in every inning except the fourth and often had multiple players on, but missed chance after chance to score, leaving 10 stranded.

“He’s been driving that energy bus for us since he’s been back”, Rangers manager Jeff Banister said of Odor, who is batting. “You have to believe if you put up 15 hits as a team, we are going to score some runs”.

Lewis retired three consecutive batters to close the first and left Altuve, who swiped second base, in scoring position. Correa’s single sent Gonzalez home to make it 3-0.

With the exception of the home run to Correa, it was a solid start for start for Lewis who allowed only two runs on four hits in seven innings pitched. “That’s the way things go sometimes”.

Gallardo’s lone 2015 appearance against the Astros came at home April 11, when he yielded two runs and eight hits and struck out seven in 5 2-3 innings of a 6-2 victory.

“I think I was mainly just pleased that I know that I’m healthy and there’s no issues with my knee at all”, Feldman said. “I thought he threw the ball well”. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Texas Rangers third base coach Tony Beasley, left, congratulates Rougned Odor on a triple as Houston Astros third baseman Marwin Gonzalez walks away in the ninth inning of a baseball game Saturday, July 18, 2015, in Houston. Luke Gregerson notched his 19th save as the Astros picked up win number-50.

McHugh’s night started out a bit shaky.

Texas right fielder Josh Hamilton, who recorded three hits in his final three at-bats, doubled to score Beltre for a crucial three-run lead. 382 with four home runs and 17 RBIs over his last 25 games.

A one-out single by L.J. When DeShields followed with a single, Feldman was pulled.

Odor followed with a triple to Tal’s Hill in center field and scored on a single by Beltre.

He’s 2-0 with a 1.11 ERA in his last five on the road, where he hasn’t allowed a run in his last 22 1-3 innings.

NOTES: Astros 1B Chris Carter should avoid a trip to the disabled list despite suffering a right ankle sprain on Friday night. “There’s a lot of soreness right now”, he said.