Texas Rangers Make Statement, Down Astros In First Matchup of Season
The Texas Rangers (8-5) made a statement against the Houston Astros (6-8) on Friday with a 6-2 victory.
Texas entered the series tied for first place in the American League West with the Los Angeles Angels and showed that they're not just a contender for a postseason spot, but perhaps threat in the division.
It was a rare win for the Rangers at Minute Maid Park. Texas is only 6-29 in Houston since 2019.
The offense got started quickly in the first inning with a Nathaniel Lowe RBI-double that scored Marcus Semien. It was a nice indicator of what was to come for the lineup, even without shortstop Corey Seager.
The Rangers piled on the top of third when right fielder Adolis García launched a two-run home run that scored Nathaniel Lowe to make it 3-0. It was a controversial call because the umpires couldn't see that the ball clearly cleared the center field wall.
Perks of Minute Maid Park.
Lowe then came back and countered a Yordan Alvarez home run in the fourth with a two-run single that made it 5-1. Once again, this feast or famine Texas offense decided to do the former.
Rookie third baseman Josh Jung added an insurance run in the ninth inning with a line drive to left field that scored Semien to make it 6-2.
On the mound, Martín Pérez (2-1) looked pretty good against a very talented Houston lineup in earning the win. He allowed just two runs on the evening, two solo shots from Alvarez and Martin Maldonado. The only offense Houston could muster.
Solo shots usually aren't enough and on Friday that proved true.
The bullpen starred again. Dane Dunning relieved Pérez and pitched 1 2/3 innings, allowing just one hit. Will Smith then pitched 1 1/3 perfect innings with three strikeouts.
José Leclerc was called upon for a non-save situation in the bottom of the ninth. We had just covered whether or not the team should be worried about sending him out to the mound after blowing a save against the Kansas City Royals.
He did not disappoint.
He pitched a perfect ninth inning and nailed home the statement win.
Texas will be riding high as they prepare to face Houston for the second of three on Saturday.
First pitch on Saturday is scheduled for 6:10 p.m. CT. Jon Gray will take the mound for Texas opposite of rookie Hunter Brown for the Astros.
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You can find Kade Kistner on Twitter @KadeKistner.
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