Rangers Lose Silver Boot Series to Astros

Photo by Tim Heitman/Getty Images

August 7, 2024

Astros 6, Rangers 4

ARLINGTON, Tex. (Aug 7) — The Texas Rangers had a late rally on Wednesday afternoon, but they fell short, losing to the Houston Astros, 4–2. Home runs by Victor Caratini and Yordan Alvarez helped the Astros’ cause as they were able to shut the door on the Rangers’ bid for the series victory. Now that the dirt trails from the Silver Boot Series have come to a stop, the Rangers head out on a six-game road trip starting with three in the Big Apple against the New York Yankees. That series will get under way on Friday evening with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 pm Eastern at Yankee Stadium. Left-hander Cody Bradford (3–0, 3.96 ERA) will get the ball for the Rangers, while the Yankees have not announced their starting pitcher for the series opener in the Bronx.

The Astros, meanwhile, will head north for three games against the Boston Red Sox. That series will also begin on Friday with first pitch scheduled for 7:10 pm Eastern at Fenway Park. Starting pitchers for both teams have yet to be announced.

Early Lead for Astros

The Astros promptly scored in the top of the first off Rangers starter Jose Urena. Alex Bregman singled to center after Jose Altuve popped out to second to lead off. Moments later, Urena walked Alvarez. Yainer Diaz hit an infield single that was out of the reach of Rangers third baseman Josh Jung. Bregman scored on a 6–4 force play grounded into by Jeremy Pena. Alvarez provided an insurance run in the top of the third with a solo home run to center, his 22nd of the season. The score remained 2–0 until the top of the sixth.

The Astros extended the lead to 3–0 on a solo shot to right by Caratini. After Jake Meyers was called out on strikes, Zach Dezenzo singled sharply to left. On deck was Mauricio Dubon, who drove Dezenzo in with a double lined to left to stretch it to 4–0 for the Astros. Up next was Altuve. He allowed Dubon to score with a single to center. The Rangers made it interesting in the bottom of the sixth off Astros starter Yusei Kikuchi. Marcus Semien led off with a dramatic solo blast to left. Two batters later, Kikuchi issued a free pass to Wyatt Langford. That brought Astros manager Joe Espada to the mound to bring in reliever Tayler Scott. After Espada returned to the Astros’ bench, Langford stole second for his 10th stolen base of the season.

Big Hit for Lowe

Up next was Lowe, who ripped an RBI triple to left to cut the lead to 5–2. Adolis Garcia followed Lowe’s triple by drawing a walk. Robbie Grossman was scheduled to bat next, but he was lifted for pinch-hitter Leody Taveras. Moments later, Lowe raced home on a sacrifice fly to right by Taveras. The Astros made it 6–3 in the top of the eighth off reliever Brock Burke. Dezenzo drew a free pass after Meyers grounded to short to open the inning.

Dubon moved him over to second with a single to right. Two batters later, Bregman plated Dezenzo with a single to left. The Rangers scored their fourth run of the afternoon off Astros reliever Ryan Pressly. Langford hit a double to left, his 17th of the year, to lead off the frame. After Lowe lined out to center, Garcia singled on a weak ground ball that completely eluded Caratini in front of the plate. After Taveras struck out swinging, Jonah Heim brought Langford home with a single to left.

What Went Right for the Astros

The Astros scored early on Wednesday, taking advantage of a tired Urena. He has had several shaky starts as of late, and the matinee on Wednesday was no different. Their main offensive push was the homers by Alvarez and Caratini. They also added a few RBI base hits to the box score to cap off their afternoon.

What Went Wrong for the Astros

The main setback for the Astros was that they couldn’t manage to run away with their lead. The Rangers kept it close in the late innings with Semien’s homer, Lowe’s RBI triple, Taveras’ sacrifice fly, and Heim’s RBI single.

Tough Day for Urena

Rangers starter Jose Urena shouldered the loss after allowing two runs, both earned, over four innings. The rest of his line was 6 H, 3 BB, 1 HR, 65 pitches/34 strikes. He departed after four frames with the Rangers down, 2-0. Urena stranded the bases loaded in the top of the first, limiting the damage in that frame. His record sits at 3–7 with an ERA of 3.74. He has gone 2–5 with a 4.31 ERA in eight starts this season, compared to 1–2, one save, and 3.22 ERA in 19 relief appearances in 2024. Urena is now 38–70 for his career as a starter (.352), marking the second-lowest winning percentage among active starting pitchers.

Kikuchi’s Outing

Astros starter Yusei Kikuchi earned his first win as an Astro after surrendering two runs, both earned, over 5 1/3 innings in his second start for the club. His final line was 5 1/3 IP, 4 H, 2 R-ER, 3 BB, 8 SO, 1 HR, 100 pitches/60 strikes. Kikuchi’s record now sits at 5–9 with an ERA of 4.62. He threw five scoreless innings before surrendering the solo home run to Semien in the bottom of the sixth. Kikuchi has struck out 19 batters over his first two starts with the Astros, the most strikeouts by any Astros pitcher in his first two outings with the club since Gerrit Cole in 2018 (22 SO). After pitching a spotless ninth inning with one strikeout, lefty Josh Hader earned his 24th save of the year.

Postgame Comments

After the game, Rangers manager Bruce Bochy stressed that the season isn’t over yet. “We move on,” Bochy said. “I keep saying that. It’s all you can do. It was a tight series. That’s always tough when you lose a series to the team you’re chasing.”