Rangers Walk-Off in Extras against Astros

Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images

August 5, 2024

Rangers 4, Astros 3 (10)

ARLINGTON, Tex. (Aug 5) — The Texas Rangers beat the Houston Astros, 4–3, in dramatic fashion in the 10th inning on Monday. The hero in this one was Josh Smith, who was in unfamiliar territory, as he started in left field as opposed to his usual spot at third base. Smith demolished his first career walk-off homer, at any level, to lead the Rangers to a crucial win. With this win, the Rangers now sit 3 1/2 games behind the Astros and five games behind the AL West-leading Seattle Mariners.

The Rangers will go for the series win in this three-game set on Tuesday evening. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm Central at Globe Life Field. Lefty Framber Valdez (10–5, 3.56 ERA) will get the ball for the Astros, while right-hander Tyler Mahle (First Appearance) will take the hill for the Rangers. Mahle has been recovering from Tommy John surgery since May of 2023.

Scarce Offense for Both Teams

Both teams traded zeroes for the first two frames. The Astros took a 1–0 lead with lefty Andrew Heaney on the mound for the Rangers. Heaney got Pedro Leon to fly to right, and Jose Altuve to ground to short, bringing up Alex Bregman. It was deafening inside Globe Life Field when Bregman was announced by public address announcer Chuck Morgan, who was working his 3,300th consecutive game for the Rangers on Monday. On a 1–0 fastball, Bregman hit a line-drive homer into the Astros’ bullpen in left-center, his 15th of the season. A chorus of boos and expletives followed Bregman during his lap around the bases.

Fast forward to the bottom of the fifth, at which point the Rangers knotted things up at one run apiece. Right-hander Hunter Brown was on the mound for the Astros. He surrendered a leadoff walk to Nathaniel Lowe. Adolis Garcia singled to left, advancing Lowe to third. On deck was Leody Taveras, who scored Lowe with a sacrifice fly to left. A throwing error by left fielder Chas McCormick allowed Garcia to sprint to third. He went no further, however, as Carson Kelly grounded to short and Smith flied to short, respectively, to end the inning.

Free Baseball

The Astros took a 2–1 lead in the top of the eighth off reliever David Robertson. Altuve led off with a single to left. He advanced to second on a wild pitch by Robertson. On deck was Bregman, who grounded to second, moving Altuve to third. Moments later, Robertson intentionally walked Yordan Alvarez and unintentionally walked Yainer Diaz to load the bases. Up next was Jeremy Pena, who singled on a soft grounder to third. Third baseman Josh Jung couldn’t get to it in time to make the throw, and Altuve scored on the play.

Walk-Off

The Rangers tied it 2–2 in dramatic fashion in the bottom of the eighth off reliever Ryan Pressly. Jonah Heim, pinch-hitting for Kelly, and Smith both grounded to first, bringing Seager to the plate. With the crowd on their feet, Seager blasted his 23rd long ball of the season into the seats in right-center beyond the Rangers’ bullpen. The Astros struck again in the top of the 10th with Kirby Yates on the hill. Altuve trotted out to second to serve as the ghost runner. Rangers manager Bruce Bochy gave the intentional walk to Alvarez. Up next was Diaz, whom Yates hit with the next pitch. The Rangers, however, got on the phone as the ball appeared to have barely missed his left hand.

They challenged the call, which was upheld, and play continued. On deck was Pena, who also got hit by one of Yates’ pitches to force in Altuve to make it 3–2 Astros. In the bottom of the inning, Caleb Ferguson came in to relieve Josh Hader for the Astros. Garcia served as the ghost runner for the Rangers. Robbie Grossman, who was pinch-hitting for Taveras, and Heim both struck out swinging to bring up Smith. He stepped in and on a 3–1 fastball, Smith sent a high drive over the wall in right-center, his 12th of the season. The crowd of 31,605 erupted with sheer joy and cheers of appreciation to a man who has carried this offense for much of the season.

What Went Right for the Rangers

This game could have easily slipped out of reach for the Rangers at several points. Smith’s homer in the 10th gave them their first lead of the evening. As it turns out, that’s all they needed to win on Monday. Seager’s dinger was a big contribution as well as Taveras’ sacrifice fly that plated Lowe earlier in the game.

The Rangers’ pitching staff struggled, but ultimately kept the game from getting out of hand. Robertson and Andrew Chafin came in from the bullpen, and they each escaped bases-loaded jams in the late innings.

What Went Wrong for the Rangers

The one that really did damage against the Rangers on Monday was Bregman. As mentioned earlier, fans used profanity that would make a sailor blush when he hit his homer. The RBI base hit by Diaz proved to be a bit of a hindrance to the Rangers as well, but they adjusted accordingly.

No-Decision for Heaney

Rangers lefty Andrew Heaney did not factor into the decision of Monday’s contest despite firing six innings of one-run ball. His final line was 1 H, 1 HR, 1 BB, 4 K, 80 pitches/49 strikes. Monday was his longest outing in more than one calendar month. It marked the third start by a Ranger this year of six innings or more and one or no hits allowed, first since Nathan Eovaldi on July 2 against the San Diego Padres (7 IP, 1 H), and the third such start of Heaney’s career.

After pitching both the ninth and tenth inning, Yates earned his fourth win of the season. The run that he gave up was unearned. He also walked one and struck out four. Yates’ record improves to 4–1 on the year with an ERA of 1.08.

Astros starter Hunter Brown also took a no-decision. He gave up one earned run over six frames. His line was 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R-ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 97 pitches/59 strikes. Brown has gone 8–3 with a 2.34 ERA, 89 strikeouts, and 25 walks over his last 14 starts dating back to May 22.

Ferguson was saddled with the loss after pitching two thirds of an inning in the bottom of the 10th. He walked one and struck out two before giving up Smith’s walk-off shot. His record is now 1–4 with an ERA of 5.50.

Postgame Comments

After the game, Bochy praised Smith’s efforts, not just on Monday, but the entire season. “[We’re not] where we want to be, but I’d hate to think where we would be without him with the job he’s done all year,” Bochy said. “Now he’s going to be our super utility guy … what a terrific job he’s done all year. That’s a game where it wasn’t going real well for him, but here he gets one more at-bat and he took advantage of it.”