Rangers Drop Series Finale to Astros

Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images

May 28, 2026

Astros 5, Rangers 1

ARLINGTON, Texas (May 28) — The Texas Rangers fell short in their series finale against the Houston Astros, 5–1, Thursday night. The home run ball was once again the Astros’ weapon of choice as Jeremy Peña and Isaac Paredes both left the yard in the first inning. Now that this series is in the rearview mirror, the Rangers turn their attention to the Kansas City Royals for three. That set will begin Friday with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 pm Central at Globe Life Field. Right-hander Stephen Kolek (3–0, 2.77 ERA) will match up against lefty MacKenzie Gore (3–4, 4.42 ERA).

As for the Astros, they will head back to Houston to host the Milwaukee Brewers in a three-game set. That tilt will also get underway Friday with first pitch scheduled for 7:10 pm Central at Daikin Park. It will be a duel of righties as Coleman Crow (0–0, 2.61 ERA) will face Kai-Wei Teng (3–3, 2.19 ERA).

Astros Get to Eovaldi Early

The Astros jumped out to a 3–0 lead in the top of the first with righty Nathan Eovaldi on the mound. A leadoff homer to left by Peña on the first pitch of the game quickly put a sour feeling in the collective stomachs of Ranger fans. It marked his second long ball of the year. Eovaldi gave an unintentional intentional walk to Yordan Alvarez, who has gone yard five times in this series, to follow. Up next was Paredes, who blasted a two-run shot to left, also on the first pitch he saw. It was his sixth of the season.

The Rangers broke into the run column in the bottom of the second off right-hander Spencer Arrighetti. On a 1–0 pitch, Josh Jung sent one over the wall in left-center for a leadoff home run. It was his sixth of the campaign.

The Astros tallied two more in the top of the third. Paredes drew a two-out walk and sprinted to second on a wild pitch to Taylor Trammell by Eovaldi. Paredes scored when Trammell doubled to right. Trammell himself crossed the plate a moment later when Cam Smith singled to center and advanced to second on a throwing error by Evan Carter in center.

What Went Right for the Astros

As previously mentioned, the Astros had Eovaldi on his toes in the top of the first. The dingers by Peña and Paredes were a shock to the system not only for the Rangers, but also the 27,234 fans in attendance.

They also took advantage of Carter’s error in the top of the third. Errors have been a problem for the Rangers in this series, and the Astros have been able to pad their leads on most of them.

What Went Wrong for the Rangers

The Astros hit their only road block in the bottom of the second when Jung hit his leadoff home run. He continues to be one of the Rangers’ best hitters in 2026. Jung is currently batting .307 with six homers, 22 RBI, and one stolen base.

More Bad Luck for Eovaldi

Rangers starter Nathan Eovaldi lost his second straight start despite giving the Rangers length following a 31-pitch first inning. His final line was 7 IP, 4 H, 5 R-ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 2 HR, WP, 90 pitches/55 strikes. He has taken a decision in all 11 starts this year, translating into a 5–6 record with an ERA of 3.93. It is the longest season-opening stretch by a Rangers pitcher since Yovani Gallardo in 2015, who also had 11 straight decisions resulting in a 5-6 record.

Peña’s round-tripper in the first was the third leadoff long ball against Eovaldi this year. He had yielded only six game-opening home runs entering 2026, never more than one in a single year. The two-run shot to Paredes later in the inning was his first instance of permitting multiple homers in the opening frame for the second time this year and the seventh time in his career.

Arrighetti’s Evening

Astros starter Spencer Arrighetti picked up the win, throwing six frames while allowing three hits and one run that was earned. He improves to 7–1 on the year with an ERA of 1.34 in his 8th start. The right-hander gave up a couple of hard hit balls early, benefitting from Smith robbing Brandon Nimmo of a homer in the first, before giving up the no-doubter to the second deck in left by Jung in the second.

Personal Day for Skip

Rangers bench coach Luis Urueta skippered Thursday’s game, with manager Skip Schumaker attending the high school graduation of his son, Brody, in California. Urueta is now 3–1 in his career as an acting manager, although Thursday’s result still falls on Schumaker’s record.

Urueta’s Postgame Comments

After the game, Urueta discussed what he saw from the Rangers’ offense in this one. “I think early on we had better at-bats tonight,” he said. “We got ourselves in good hitting counts, but unfortunately it didn’t reflect on the scoreboard. Most of the contact we made went directly toward a glove. That’s how it goes some nights. We can talk about Josh’s (Jung) home run, but we needed more.”