HOUSTON – The Astros have been hot streak as of late, winning 11 games in row, but recently lost a series the Red Sox in Boston. The Rangers surprised a lot of people in baseball as they went on to sweep the Angels in their three games in Arlington.
The Rangers and Astros started their second Lone Star Series of the season on Thursday night at Minute Maid Park. The Rangers are coming in with a four-game winning streak as the Astros have lost two out of their last three games. Who has the momentum coming into this game?
Left-handed pitcher Framber Valdez started for the Astros against right-handed pitcher Glenn Otto for the Rangers. The Rangers would draw first blood in the top of the first inning as Corey Seager singled into left field to bring in Eli White and give the Rangers a 1-0 lead.
In the bottom of the first inning, Astros second baseman Jose Altuve would lead off with a double into shallow left field and would eventually tie the game on an Alemys Diaz single to left. Kyle Tucker would single to right, bring in Diaz and the Astros would take a 2-1 lead.
The score would remain the same throughout the rest of the game although the Rangers had their chances with players in scoring position several times. Framber Valdez allowed one run on six hits with two walks and seven strikeouts in 7 innings of work. Glenn Otto, despite giving up two runs in the first innings only gave up seven hits and had two strikeouts but would the keep the Astros from scoring in the later innings.
It was a close game, coming down to the last few innings, until the bottom of the 8th inning. Rangers right-handed pitcher Josh Sborz took over struck out the first batter, but would walk the next three Astros batters Tucker, Jeremy Pena, and Chas McCormick. Reliever Matt Moore relieved Otto, as Astros catcher Martin Maldonaldo, who has struggled offensively this season, made the play of the game. Maldonaldo doubled on a deep hit into right centerfield, bringing in three insurances runs for the Astros and extended the Astros lead to 5-1. It was Maldonaldo’s fourth game in his last five with a hit.
In the top of the 9th, Astros closer Ryan Pressely took the mound to finish the game. He would strike out all three batters as the Astros defeated the Rangers 5-1. The Houston Astros improve to 25-14 overall and 4-1 against the Rangers this season. This win also extended their home winning streak against the Rangers to 11 games.
The Texas Rangers are now 17-20 on the season and have not won at Minute Maid Park since Sept. 16, 2020. Jose Altuve went 4 for 5 with two doubles and a run scored. Altuve also recorded his 344th double, passing Cesar Cedeno for the fourth-most doubles in Astros franchise history. Houston’s right-handed pitcher Cristian Javier will face off against Rangers left-handed pitcher Martin Perez tomorrow night.
Written by James Leyva
