Astros Sweep Rangers in Crucial Series

September 6, 2023

Astros 12, Rangers 3

ARLINGTON, Tex. (Sep 6) — The Texas Rangers lost their series finale against the Houston Astros, 12–3, Wednesday evening. Marcus Semien had a two-homer night, but overall the light barely flickered for the home nine. In this series, Rangers pitching gave up a total of 30 runs and 16 home runs, which is a franchise record for the Astros. With this loss, the Rangers succumbed to the relentless brooms of the Astros, as they were handed the sweep in a series that they desperately need to put behind them. After a day off on Thursday, they start a three-game series against the Oakland Athletics on Friday at Globe Life Field with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 pm Central. Right-hander Paul Blackburn (4–4, 3.81 ERA) will take the hill for the Athletics. The Rangers will give the ball to Jordan Montgomery (8–10, 3.46 ERA).

Astros Pounce Early…Again

The Astros continued their aggressive brand of play in the series finale. They got on the board in the top of the first against Max Scherzer. The Astros jumped out to an early 2–0 lead on a two-run homer to center by Yordan Alvarez. Jeremy Peña, who doubled to left, was the man on base at the time. The Rangers cut the lead in half on a solo blast to left by Semien.

The Astros got one of several insurance runs in the top of the second. It came courtesy of Michael Brantley‘s second homer of the year, and it sailed over the wall in right. Adolis Garcia crashed into the wall going after it. Garcia was tended to by the medical staff and came out of the game with right knee discomfort. He was replaced in right by Robbie Grossman.

A Long Night in Arlington

The real theatrics started in the top of the third. Peña led off the frame with a single, followed by a walk to Alvarez. The Rangers caught a break when Alex Bregman flied to right, but Scherzer walked Kyle Tucker moments later to load the bases. By this point, the Astros fans were bragging and the Rangers fans were gagging as Jose Abreu stepped in. With a count of 1–1, Abreu blasted a hanging Scherzer slider to left-center for a grand slam. This extended the Astros’ lead to 7–1. After the shock subsided, the Rangers were able to keep the Astros silent until the top of the fifth.

With Chris Stratton on in relief, the Astros made it 8–1 on a sacrifice fly to left by Brantley that scored Tucker, who had walked earlier in the inning.

The Rangers got one back in their half of the fifth on a single by Marcus Semien that drove in Travis Jankowski. Jankowski drew a walk and stole second earlier in the inning.

The Rangers inched closer in the bottom of the eighth on Semien’s second homer of the game off, this time off Kendall Graveman. It marks the first multi-homer game for Semien this season and the 13th of his career.

The Astros made it 12–3 in the top of the ninth on a three-run shot to center by Abreu. They followed that up with a solo dinger to center by Chas McCormick off Brock Burke.

Off Night for Scherzer

Scherzer took the loss after he surrendered a season-high seven runs, all earned, over three innings. His final line was 3 IP, 6 H, 7 R-ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 3 HR, 60 pitches/40 strikes. All seven runs came on the trio of home runs spread across the first three innings. This was his fourth outing of 2023 in which he has allowed three or more homers. His last four-homer game came on July 22 against the Boston Red Sox when he was a member of the New York Mets.

Scherzer’s record in 2023 now stands at 12–6 with an ERA of 3.91. On the other side, Verlander notched his 11th win of the season, bringing his record to 11–7 with an ERA of 3.23. Over seven innings, he surrendered two runs — one earned — on four hits. He threw 100 pitches, 64 for strikes.

Postgame Comments

A somewhat distant Bruce Bochy held court with members of the media after the game. “Obviously, it was not a good series, and there wasn’t a lot we did well.” Bochy said. “We just didn’t execute pitches, left a lot up throughout the series and we paid for it. … They put it to us, and there’s no getting around that.” Bochy was also asked about the status of Adolis Garcia. He said the knee “was pretty sore” and that an MRI was planned for Thursday.