Astros 3 - 4 Rangers
Final
  for this game

Astros, Texas play out the string in Arlington

Sep 22, 2014 - 3:00 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The playoff chase passed them by long ago, but at least the Houston Astros still have Jose Altuve.

The infielder can move a few steps closer to becoming the franchise's first batting champion on Monday night, when the Astros visit Globe Life Park to open a three-game series with the Texas Rangers.

Altuve had two hits on Sunday to become the first major league player in five seasons to reach 220 hits. He's Houston's single-season leader in hits and has the most in a season by a second baseman since 1936.

He's had more than one hit in 10 of the last 11 games and is 11 points ahead in the final week race for the American League batting title.

"He's the catalyst of the ballclub," interim manager Tom Lawless said. "When he gets on things happen. He's got 220 hits and that's really unheard of."

The Astros will finish with less than 100 losses after three straight seasons of triple digits, while the Rangers try to continue a recent hot stretch that's seen them win eight of nine from their last place perch in the AL West.

"We're trying to win every game from here on out," interim manager Tim Bogar said. "If we do that, we're definitely not going to have (the) worst record."

The Rangers start lefty Derek Holland for the fifth time since he had surgery on his left knee. He got a no-decision against Oakland in his last start on Wednesday after allowing a run and four hits in a game the Rangers won, 6-1.

He faced the Astros three times in 2013 and won a decision while compiling a 2.14 earned run average.

Texas is seeking at least one win in the final week to avoid losing 100 games for the first time in 41 years. Houston is 6 1/2 games ahead of the Rangers in the West and can avoid last place with at least one final week win.

The Astros are 11-5 in the season series thus far.

Houston starts rookie Nick Tropeano for the third time in search of a second win. He defeated Seattle on Sept. 10 in his debut, but took loss No. 1 on Tuesday after allowing an earned run in five innings of a 4-2 decision to Cleveland.

Houston is 11-5 versus the Rangers this season.






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