Nimmo, Rangers Walk Off Astros in Sunday Matinee

Photo by John Bunch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

July 12, 2026

Rangers 6, Astros 5

ARLINGTON, Texas (July 12) — The Texas Rangers claimed a triumphant victory in this weekend’s Silver Boot Series with a 6–5 win over the Houston Astros Sunday afternoon. Brandon Nimmo had the big hit in this contest with a walk-off single. It was their second walk-off win this week after Wyatt Langford had a game-winning single against the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday. It was also their fourth walk-off win of 2026. The Rangers now head into the All-Star Break with a record of 49–47. They are in first place in the AL West with a lead of 1 1/2 games over the Seattle Mariners, who beat the Tampa Bay Rays, 8–2, on Sunday at Tropicana Field.

Rangers Score Early

The Rangers got into the run column first in the bottom of the second off righty Cristian Javier. Ezequiel Duran reached a one-out walk. He advanced to third on a line-drive double to center by Evan Carter. Duran scored on a single to right by Nicky Lopez. After Javier struck out Kyle Higashioka swinging, Joc Pederson drove in Carter and Lopez with a double to right.

The Astros got one back in the top of the fourth with left-hander MacKenzie Gore on the hill. With two outs and a 2–1 count, Jose Altuve belted a solo homer to left-center. It was his 11th on the season. As he took his lap around the bases, the crowd treated Altuve to the chorus of boos that he has become very familiar with over the years at Globe Life Field.

The Rangers tacked on an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth against reliever Bryan Abreu. He gave up a one-out free pass to Josh Jung. On deck was Nimmo, who hit a triple that was deflected off Taylor Trammell in center before rolling into right field. Jung scored on the play. Right fielder Cam Smith picked up the ball and threw it to third, but it was a moot point as Nimmo was already standing there.

Astros Claw Back

The Astros scored again in the top of the seventh against reliever Robby Ahlstrom. LaMonte Wade Jr., who had a grand slam in Saturday’s game, hit a one-out single up the middle. Up next was Zach Dezenzo, pinch-hitting for Trammell. He moved Wade to second with an infield single that was out of the reach of Jung at third. Rangers manager Skip Schumaker called time and brought in reliever Peyton Gray. Gray walked Yainer Diaz to begin his outing. That brought up Jeremy Peña, who plated Wade with a sacrifice fly to left.

The Rangers gave the intentional walk to the ever-dangerous Yordan Alvarez to load the bases and bring up Isaac Paredes. Paredes tied the game with a single to center that plated Dezenzo and Diaz.

The Astros took their first lead of the day in the top of the eighth off reliever Ben Peoples. After Altuve popped out to first baseman Jake Burger, Smith hit a solo blast to left on an 0–1 pitch for his 12th home run of the year.

Another Walk-Off

The Rangers knotted it back up in the bottom of the eighth off reliever Bryan King. With two away, Kyle Higashioka hit a solo home run to left on a 1–1 pitch for his seventh bomb of the campaign.

The Rangers sealed the deal in the bottom of the ninth against reliever Josh Hader. Langford led off with a single to left and hustled to second on a fielding error by Dezenzo in left. Jung nudged Langford to third with another single to left. Rangers third base coach Corey Ragsdale started to wave him home but held up the stop sign when Langford was halfway between second and third to be on the safe side. On deck was Nimmo, who slapped a 1–1 pitch up the middle to plate Langford and send the Rangers into the All-Star Break on a very high note.

What Went Right for the Rangers

The Rangers kept their cool on Sunday afternoon. There were times when the Astros closed the gap and eventually took the lead, but the Rangers played with as much determination as they showed against the Astros on Saturday. The home run by Higashioka was big, and Nimmo’s hits were even more crucial.

What Went Wrong for the Rangers

The Astros found ways to put pressure on the Rangers several times over the weekend, and Sunday was no different. The home runs by Altuve and Smith didn’t help matters much. To the Rangers’ credit, they were only solo shots. The Astros have a reputation for playing very well at Globe Life Field. They almost pulled the rug out from under the home nine in front of a crowd of 33,804.

Short Rest for Gore

Pitching on three days’ rest for the first time in his career, Rangers starter MacKenzie Gore hurled four frames of one-run ball. He took a no-decision for his effort. His line was 2 H, 1 R-ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 65 pitches/39 strikes. The left-hander tossed 28 pitches in the first. Gore bounced back and needed 37 pitches to complete the next three frames. He held the Astros off the scoreboard until Altuve jumped him for the solo shot with two outs in the fourth. Gore gave way to reliever Tyler Alexander to begin the fifth. Gore became the seventh pitcher in the majors this season to record four or more innings in a start on three or fewer days’ rest. That puts him on a list that includes teammate Cal Quantrill, who tossed four innings on June 27 against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Lefty Jacob Latz came on in the ninth, giving up a hit and a walk to notch the win. He now owns a record of 2–1 with an ERA of 1.61.

Javier’s Afternoon

Astros starter Cristian Javier made his sixth appearance and fourth start of the season. He pitched three innings while allowing three runs, all earned, on four hits, three walks, and four strikeouts. Javier left the game with his team down 3–0 but finished with a no-decision. He made his first start since April 8 after going on the Injured List on April 10 and coming back to make two relief appearances on July 4 and July 8. He owns a 7.83 ERA in his last seven starts going back to September 4, 2025.

After failing to record an out in the bottom of the ninth, Hader was saddled with his first loss of the season. That brings his record to 3–1 with a 1.17 ERA. He surrendered the winning run on three hits and one walk.

Schumaker’s Postgame Comments

After the game, Schumaker reflected on Gore’s day. “He came in and said, ‘I want the ball. I’m ready,’” Schumaker said. “That was the conversation. Obviously, I can’t just say yes. There’s some people that I have to make sure that it’s OK that I do give him the ball today. But everyone felt good about his health. As long as that all checked out, we were good to go.

“He’s an unbelievable teammate, competitor,” Schumaker continued. “He always wants the ball. He’s a 10 out of 10 competitor, and I think after the last start too, I think he really wants this start to go into the second half in a positive direction.”