First series sweep of Rangers since 2003
WP: Keuchel (9-5)
LP: Darvish (8-5)
contributed by Sphinx Drummond
It’s the first time the Astros haven’t been in last place this late in the season since 2010.
The scoring early was like a see-saw, one team up, then down, Texas scored first with one run in the bottom of the first, Astros got two in the top of the second to temporarily take the lead. the Rangers plated 3 in the bottom of the second to regain the lead. The four runs score by the Rangers in the first two innings would be all they would get as the Astros pitchers shut the Rangers down for the rest of the game.
Houston had 28 runs and 42 hits in the series against its in-state rival that won 17 of 19 against the Astros last season.
Dallas Keuchel (9-5), allowed four runs and eight hits over 6 2/3 innings. It wasn’t his best performance, but it was good enough to beat the Rangers.
Before being recalled by the Astros this week, Grossman had an 18-game hitting streak at Triple-A Oklahoma City. After going 0 for 4 on Tuesday night to start his third stint with Houston this season, Grossman snapped a 0-28 streak with four hits Wednesday. Grossman and George Springer both homered for the Astros, who moved into fourth place by a percentage point over slumping Texas.
The Rangers lost for the 10th time in 11 games and have dropped 18 of 21 overall. At 38-53, their .418 winning percentage is the worst in the majors – just behind Arizona and Houston, both 39-54 for a .419 mark. The Astros finally have a break out game against Yu and made him appear pedestrian.
Springer sacrificed his body to make a great catch against the center field wall.
Thursday is a travel day, the Good Guys come home to face Boston on Friday with Scott Feldman scheduled to face big tall Texan, John Lackey.
Attendance – 31161
Game Time – 3:05
Temperature – 95