Astros Trounce Rangers in Middle Game

Photo by Tim Heitman/Getty Images

July 11, 2026

Astros 9, Rangers 3

ARLINGTON, Texas (July 11) — The Texas Rangers were haunted by a third inning grand slam by LaMonte Wade Jr. as they lost, 9–3, to the Houston Astros Saturday. With a quick turnaround, the Rangers look to win the rubber game in this series Sunday afternoon with first pitch scheduled for 1:35 pm Central at Globe Life Field. Both teams have yet to announce their starting pitchers for the series finale as of press time.

Offensive Outburst by Astros

It was 90 degrees outside the ballpark, but the Astros broke the ice inside in the top of the first. With Kumar Rocker on the mound, Jeremy Peña led off the game with a single to second. He moved up an extra 90 feet thanks to a throwing error by second baseman Nicky Lopez. Up next was Yordan Alvarez, the man Rangers fans were begging Rocker to pitch around. Rocker ignored their pleas and gave up a two-run shot to center by Alvarez. It came on the first pitch of the at-bat, his 31st of the season.

The Astros broke it open in the top of the third. On his second trip to the plate, Alvarez doubled to right and Isaac Paredes drew a walk to follow. That brought up Christian Walker, who struck out swinging before Jose Altuve loaded the bases with a sharp single to left. On deck was Wade Jr, who blasted a grand slam to right on a 1–1 pitch. It marks his second home run of the year.

The lead stretched to 7–0 in the top of the fourth. Christian Vazquez connected on a 2–1 pitch and sent it to left-center for his fifth dinger of the campaign. The 37,312 in attendance were not happy with the development.

The Rangers got on the board in the bottom of the fourth off right-hander Peter Lambert. After Brandon Nimmo struck out swinging and Jake Burger flied to right, respectively, Ezequiel Duran sauntered to the dish and launched a ball to right-center on a 2–2 pitch for his ninth home run of the season.

Late Spark for Rangers

The Astros added two more in the top of the ninth off reliever Chris Martin. Paredes hit a one-out single to center and Walker advanced him to third with a double to left. With Cam Smith batting, Paredes scored on a balk by Martin. Walker trotted home a moment later courtesy of a sacrifice fly to center by Smith.

The Rangers showed a little life in the bottom of the ninth off reliever AJ Blubaugh. Cam Cauley led off with a single to left. On deck was Justin Foscue, pinch-hitting for Burger. Blubaugh struck out Foscue looking. That brought up Duran, who blasted one to left for his second homer of the night on a 2–2 pitch. It was the first multi-homer game of Duran’s career.

What Went Right for the Astros

The Astros played with a determination on Saturday that they didn’t show in Friday’s 7–3 loss to the Rangers. As previously mentioned, fans did not want to see Alvarez get anything to hit, and he made the Rangers pay for the second game in a row by hitting the 201st blast of his career in the first inning. He hit his 200th in Friday’s affair. The Astros basically tied the Rangers to the ropes with Wade’s grand slam in the third and Vazquez’ solo shot in the fourth.

What Went Wrong for the Astros

The Astros kept the Rangers silent until Duran’s solo bombs in the fourth inning and ninth inning. Other than that, they made quick work of them the entire game.

Shocker for Rocker

Rangers right-hander Kumar Rocker surrendered career-highs in earned runs and hits allowed, slipping to 2–8 on the season. His line on the evening was 5 2/3 IP, 8 H, 7 R-ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 3 HR, 91 pitches/60 strikes. All seven tallies scored on a career-high-tying three long balls against the right-hander. He bears a 9.00 ERA with four home runs allowed and a .343 (24-for-70) opponents average in the first inning this year. Rocker is 0-3 with a 9.45 ERA in his last three starts at Globe Life Field. His loss tonight puts his overall record at 2–8 with an ERA of 4.40.

Lambert’s Outing

Astros starter Peter Lambert earned his eighth win to move to 8–5, pitching six stanzas while allowing one earned run on three hits, one walk, and seven strikeouts. He reached a career high 107 pitches. Lambert started off sharp with two hitless innings and made it through 3 2/3 scoreless frames before surrendering the solo shot to Duran for his first and only run allowed of the night. He labored in the sixth, yielding a leadoff single to Wyatt Langford, but came away with three straight strikeouts on 20 pitches to finish the outing strong. Lambert has reached six or more innings in seven of 16 starts this season. He finished the game seventh in the AL with a 2.43 ERA since June 1.

Schumaker’s Postgame Comments

After the game, Rangers manager Skip Schumaker was asked if he was surprised by Ezequiel Duran’s performance, not only on Saturday, but the entire first half of 2026. “Zeke has kind of come back to where he was a couple years ago,” Schumaker said. “He’s gotten more opportunities with some of the injuries. He has played all around (the field) and provided some incredible defense. The offense is what has stood out, obviously. Two home runs tonight, 50 RBI at the break, and hopefully more tomorrow. He’s been impressive and we all knew what kind of teammate he was. The energy and production he brought is real. I’m really, really happy about what he’s done in the first half, and hopefully he can continue tomorrow and into the second half.”