ARLINGTON, TX – Going into this weekend the Rangers were five games behind the Astros, and a game and a half behind the Mariners for the final wild card spot.
In what was to be a highly anticipated series, at least among Rangers and Astros fans, was a series that did not disappoint.
Friday - The Little Rascals Get it Done in Extras
As most games do for the Rangers, the game started off fairly slow for the boys in blue and red.
The Astros got the scoring started off in the top half of the second with a Victor Caratini single that brought home Jésus Sánchez.
Texas got on the board in the next half of the inning with a Dylan Moore sacrifice fly bringing home Josh Jung to tie the game at one a piece.
In the third Jake Burger gave the Rangers a two run lead with his 13th home run of the year.
Merrill Kelly dominated the next four innings for the Rangers, striking out a total of seven batters before getting pulled in the eighth inning with a 3-1 lead.
However, in the top of the eighth the trade deadline acquisition, Carlos Correa crushed a ball into right for a two-run shot to tie the game up.
The Rangers couldn’t break the tie after leaving two runners on base in scoring position.
Neither team could muster anything up in the ninth, so the game went to extras.
Texas’ bullpen from the ninth inning on was nearly perfect, giving up just one hit and one walk between its three pitchers.
And finally, in the bottom of the 12th inning, Dustin Harris doubled down the first base line, and Cody Freeman came home to score as the Rangers took the series opener against the Astros.
Saturday - Houston Dominates Pitchers’ Duel
In the second game of the series, both teams threw out their Cy Young candidates, Hunter Brown for the Astros and Jacob deGrom for the Rangers.
It was exactly what a fan would expect from these starters.
Early in the game the Rangers had an opportunity to get on the board, but they left the bases loaded.
It proved to be a big moment for Brown and the Astros as the Rangers couldn’t put up a single run for the rest of the game.
The Astros capitalized on the Rangers not scoring the next inning with a solo shot from Christian Walker for his 22nd of the year.
Yordan Alvarez’s sixth home run of the season pushed the Astros lead to 2-0 in the fifth, and then a double from Yainer Diaz made it 3-0 in the sixth.
This would be the end of deGrom’s night after putting in five and a third innings of work, eight strikeouts, five hits allowed, a pair of walks and three runs allowed.
Hunter Brown was able to get out of the sixth inning before his night was over, also posting eight strikeouts, allowing just four hits, three walks and no runs.
A pitchers’ duel that came to an end in the eighth and ninth innings.
In the eighth inning, Hoby Milner wouldn’t record an out for the Rangers giving up three runs as the Astros lead grew to 6-0.
Then, after getting the Rangers out of the eighth, Caleb Boushley allowed five runs in the ninth as the Astros finished the game in dominating fashion, winning 11-0.
Sunday - Rangers Take Home The Series
After splitting the first two games, the Rangers and Astros came into Sunday both looking for a much needed series win.
Texas got on the board first, for the first time in the series, after a throwing error by Yainer Diaz on a dropped third strike allowed Dylan Helman to score.
Patrick Corbin had another strong showing for Texas, posting five and two thirds innings of work, striking out five and allowing just one run towards the end of his start.
The Astros were able to knock Corbin out of the game in the sixth with a Jeremy Peña single bringing home Mauricio Dubon tying the game at one a piece.
In the bottom half of the sixth though, Texas struck back quickly, regaining the lead on Josh Jung double, and then extending that lead to 4-1 after Jake Burger hit his 14th home run of the season.
The Astros could only put one run on the board in the seventh inning on a fielder’s choice.
This allowed Texas to take the first series between these two teams this month.
They’ll play again in Houston from Sept. 15 to Sept. 17.
MORE MLB NEWS:
Red Sox ace credits unexpected teammate that helped him rebound quickly from horrendous start
Mets' manager Carlos Mendoza expresses concern following injured pitcher's latest setback
Detroit Tigers predicted to land 45 home run slugger in 2026 Opening Day lineup
Did Jeffrey Lurie ban Phillies Karen? Explaining the viral claim on social media
Padres' Ryan O'Hearn predicted to sign with NL Central club following 2025 season