The Houston Astros<\/a> defeated the Texas Rangers<\/a> 5\u20134 on Saturday night at Daikin Park, holding off a late rally to secure another series victory.<\/span><\/p>\n Taylor Trammell<\/a> delivered the go-ahead two-run single, Christian Walker<\/a> added an RBI hit, and the Astros pitching staff worked out of several jams before Josh Hader<\/a> closed out the ninth for the save.<\/span><\/p>\n The Astros struck first in the second inning. Jose Altuve<\/a> drew a one-out walk before Cam Smith<\/a> singled. LaMonte Wade Jr.<\/a> followed with an RBI single to right, giving the Astros an early 1\u20130 lead.<\/span><\/p>\n The Rangers answered in the third when Wyatt Langford<\/a> launched a solo home run to left field, tying the game at one. The Astros responded immediately in the bottom half. Yordan Alvarez<\/a> doubled to open the inning before walks by Walker and Altuve loaded the bases. Trammell lined a two-run single into left, scoring Alvarez and Walker to restore a 3\u20131 advantage.<\/span><\/p>\n The Rangers battled back again in the fourth. Brandon Nimmo<\/a> singled before Evan Carter<\/a> walked, and Alejandro Osuna<\/a> delivered an RBI single. Elias D\u00edaz<\/a> laid down a sacrifice bunt that brought home Ezequiel Duran<\/a>, evening the score at 3\u20133.<\/span><\/p>\n The Astros reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the fourth. Jeremy Pe\u00f1a<\/a> doubled before Alvarez drew an intentional walk and Isaac Paredes<\/a> loaded the bases with a walk. Walker grounded an RBI single through the infield to score Pe\u00f1a, and a wild pitch moments later allowed Alvarez to cross the plate for a 5\u20133 lead.<\/span><\/p>\n The Rangers trimmed the deficit in the sixth when D\u00edaz hit a solo home run, but the Astros relief corps preserved the one-run advantage. Bennett Sousa<\/a> escaped a bases-loaded jam in the fifth, Steven Okert<\/a> recorded a key out in the sixth and a scoreless seventh, Bryan Abreu<\/a> tossed a scoreless eighth, and Hader retired the Rangers in order in the ninth to secure the victory.<\/span><\/p>\n The Astros capitalized on their scoring opportunities throughout the game. Trammell’s two-run single erased the Rangers’ momentum in the third. Walker’s RBI single and a wild pitch in the fourth created the winning margin.<\/span><\/p>\n After Ronel Blanco<\/a> exited in the fifth, the quintet of Astros relievers protected the lead. Sousa stranded the bases loaded with a strikeout, Okert limited the damage after the Rangers’ sixth-inning homer off Enyel De Los Santos<\/a>, Abreu tossed a scoreless eighth, and Hader finished the game with a perfect ninth.<\/span><\/p>\n The Astros consistently forced Rangers pitchers into difficult counts. They drew five walks, took advantage of an intentional walk to Alvarez, and turned free baserunners into key runs during the middle innings.<\/span><\/p>\n Each time the Astros built early momentum, the Rangers responded. Langford’s solo homer tied the game in the third. Osuna’s RBI single and D\u00edaz’s sacrifice bunt erased another Astros lead in the fourth.<\/span><\/p>\n The Astros had a chance to add insurance in the seventh and eighth innings. Walker reached third with one out in the seventh but was stranded, and the Astros loaded the bases in the eighth without scoring.<\/span><\/p>\n The Astros wrap up their home series against the Rangers on Sunday, Aug. 2, at Daikin Park.<\/span><\/p>\n The Astros are expected to start Peter Lambert<\/a> (8-5, 3.06 ERA, 108 strikeouts). The Rangers are projected to counter with Kumar Rocker<\/a> (4-8, 4.08 ERA, 98 strikeouts).<\/span><\/p>\n First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. Central.<\/span><\/p>\nAstros \u2013 Rangers Game Summary<\/b><\/h3>\n
What Went Right for the Astros<\/b><\/h3>\n
Timely Hits<\/b><\/h4>\n
Relief Pitching<\/b><\/h4>\n
Patience at the Plate<\/b><\/h4>\n
What Went Wrong for the Astros<\/b><\/h3>\n
Rangers Answered Twice<\/b><\/h4>\n
Missed Opportunities Late<\/b><\/h4>\n
Blanco’s Command Wavered<\/b><\/h4>\n
Blanco allowed traffic on the bases throughout his outing. Three walks in the fifth forced an early pitching change.<\/span><\/h4>\n
What’s Next<\/b><\/h3>\n
Main Picture:<\/h4>\n