The Houston Astros<\/a> defeated the Texas Rangers<\/a> 7\u20133 on Sunday afternoon at Daikin Park, completing a three-game sweep behind another timely offensive performance. It is the sixth straight victory and 11th out of the last 12 games for the Astros.<\/span><\/p>\n Jeremy Pe\u00f1a<\/a> continued his torrid stretch with a two-run homer, Yordan Alvarez<\/a> collected three extra-base hits and three RBI, and the Astros broke a seventh-inning tie with four runs. Peter Lambert<\/a> turned in six strong innings in his Astros debut before four relievers combined to close out the victory.<\/span><\/p>\n The Astros threatened immediately in the first inning. Pe\u00f1a singled and Alvarez doubled to put two runners in scoring position. However, Kumar Rocker<\/a> escaped the jam without allowing a run thanks to a bases-loaded groundball to the third baseman.<\/p>\n Both starters cruised through the early innings. The Astros finally broke through in the third. Alvarez singled and moved into scoring position. Jose Altuve<\/a> followed with an RBI single to score the game’s first run. A wild pitch advanced two runners, but the Rangers cut down Taylor Trammell<\/a> at the plate in a pickoff to limit the damage.<\/p>\n The Astros added to their lead in the fourth. Cam Smith<\/a> singled before Pe\u00f1a launched a two-run home run to left field, his 13th of the season. The blast gave the Astros a 3\u20130 advantage. Alvarez followed with another double, but Rocker stranded him.<\/p>\n The Rangers responded in the fifth. Brandon Nimmo<\/a> drew a walk before Jake Burger<\/a> and Evan Carter<\/a> delivered consecutive hits. Carter drove home the Rangers’ first run. Ezequiel Duran<\/a> followed with an RBI single to cut the deficit to one. Astros shortstop Nick Allen<\/a> helped end the threat by starting an inning-ending double play.<\/p>\n Brandon Nimmo tied the game in the seventh with a solo home run for the Rangers. Bryan Abreu<\/a> entered with a runner in scoring position. He stranded the go-ahead run by recording two key strikeouts.<\/p>\n The Astros answered immediately with a big inning in the bottom half. Christian Walker<\/a> opened the inning with a double. Trammell was hit by a pitch two batters before Smith delivered the go-ahead RBI single. LaMonte Wade Jr.<\/a> added another run with an RBI single. Alvarez capped the rally with a two-run double to right, extending the lead to 7\u20133.<\/p>\n AJ Blubaugh<\/a> escaped an eighth-inning threat with a big strikeout of Burger before tossing a 1-2-3\u00a0ninth to secure the sweep.<\/p>\n The Astros stepped up when the game mattered most. Alvarez led the offense by going 4-for-5 with three doubles and two RBI. Pe\u00f1a added a two-run homer and finished 2-for-4. Even Smith \u2014 who batted seventh \u2014 collected three hits before delivering the go-ahead RBI single in the seventh inning. Altuve contributed with two hits and an RBI, and Wade added an insurance run with a pinch-hit RBI single during the decisive seventh.<\/p>\n Lambert provided a strong start to keep the Astros in control early. The right-hander allowed two runs across 5 2\/3 innings, struck out eight batters, and limited the Rangers to three hits. After allowing a pair of runs in the fifth inning, he \u2014 along with Steven Okert<\/a> and Bryan Abreu \u2014 continued to limit damage and keep the game within reach.<\/p>\n The Astros’ relievers stepped up when the game tightened late. Okert allowed one run and helped bridge the gap, but Abreu entered with runners in scoring position and struck out two batters to escape the seventh inning. Bryan King<\/a> followed with a scoreless appearance before Blubaugh closed out the final 1 1\/3 innings without allowing a run to secure the save.<\/p>\n The Astros had chances to build an early lead but struggled to capitalize. In the first inning, Pe\u00f1a and Alvarez reached scoring position, but the offense could not bring either runner home. The Astros had another opportunity in the third inning after Alvarez reached second following a wild pitch, but Trammell was caught stealing home on the next pitch.<\/p>\n After the Astros built a 3\u20130 advantage, the Rangers fought their way back into the game. Carter and Duran delivered back-to-back RBI hits in the fifth inning, cutting the lead to one. Nimmo tied the game with a solo home run in the seventh inning, forcing the Astros relievers into a high-leverage situation.<\/p>\n The Astros had multiple opportunities to create separation before the seventh inning but left runners on base throughout the game. They finished with 15 hits but stranded several chances before finally breaking through with a four-run seventh. The offense eventually responded, but the game remained closer than necessary because of missed early scoring opportunities.<\/p>\n The Astros begin a new series against the Toronto Blue Jays<\/a> on Monday, Aug. 3, at Daikin Park.<\/p>\n The Astros are expected to start Cristian Javier<\/a> (1-1, 7.17 ERA, 21 strikeouts). The Blue Jays are projected to counter with Shane Bieber<\/a> (2-2, 5.74 ERA, 22 strikeouts).<\/p>\n First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. Central.<\/p>\nAstros \u2013 Rangers Game Summary<\/strong><\/h3>\n
What Went Right for the Astros<\/h3>\n
Lineup Delivered Again<\/h4>\n
Lambert Set the Tone<\/h4>\n
Relievers Held the Line<\/strong><\/h4>\n
What Went Wrong for the Astros<\/h3>\n
Missed Early Opportunities<\/h4>\n
Rangers Found a Way Back<\/h4>\n
Lead Was Not Protected Immediately<\/h4>\n
What’s Next<\/h3>\n
Main Picture:<\/h4>\n