Final
Rangers set for rubber match with Astros
Jul 7, 2013 - 1:51 PM (Sports Network) - What has been an offensive-heavy series will come to a conclusion on Sunday when the Texas Rangers host the Houston Astros in the final tilt of a three-game set.Through the first two games these two squads have combined to score 29 runs.
On Friday it was Texas that had the bigger offensive night thanks to a Nelson Cruz grand slam and another home run from Adrian Beltre in a 10-5 victory.
On Saturday, the tables turned with the Astros blasting their way to a 9-5 victory at the Ballpark in Arlington.
Jason Castro was 2-for-5 with a home run and three RBI, Marc Krauss went 3- for-4 with a pair of RBI and Brandon Barnes hit his fourth home run of the season for Houston in the win.
Dallas Keuchel got the start for the Astros and allowed two runs through five innings. However, it was Wesley Wright who got the win as he closed out the bottom of the sixth inning before the Astros took the lead for good on Castro's three-run home run in the top of the seventh.
Even with the win, Houston has still lost seven of its last nine games.
Yu Darvish didn't look like his dominant self for Texas as he allowed five runs on six hits in six innings of work. Robbie Ross and Tanner Scheppers each allowed two runs in relief as well but it was Darvish who was handed the loss.
Cruz homered yet again on Saturday while going 3-for-4 while Geovany Soto's lone hit of the ballgame was a three-run home run.
The loss broke a short two-game winning streak for the Rangers.
Making his third appearance of the season against the Rangers will be Houston starter Erik Bedard.
The left-hander has had an interesting track record against Texas this year. Bedard actually earned a save in the season opener on March 31 when he pitched the final 3 1/3 innings without allowing a run. Then on May 11, Bedard pitched five innings and allowed two runs while striking out seven in a no-decision.
Over the entirety of his 10-year career, Bedard is 5-4 with a 3.38 ERA in 17 total appearances against the Rangers.
Bedard has made 17 total appearances this season, with 15 of those coming as a starter. In 80 1/3 innings of work, Bedard is 3-4 with an ERA of 4.59 while he has struck out 69 batters.
Young right-hander Justin Grimm will try to find the success he had earlier this season when he takes the mound for Texas Sunday.
Grimm was named American League Rookie of the Month in April after he started the season 2-0 with an ERA of 1.59. Since then, Grimm has really struggled with his record now at 7-6 while his ERA is up to 5.84.
The fifth-round draft pick from the 2010 amateur draft is still among the rookie leaders in wins (seven), strikeouts (63) and innings pitched (81 2/3).
In his last time out, Grimm pitched just four innings while allowing six runs, five of which were earned, on seven hits while letting up three home runs in a 9-2 loss to Seattle.
This will be Grimm's first start of the season against Houston and only the second of his career. In his only other outing against the Astros, Grimm went six innings and allowed three runs while picking up a win.
Texas has won six of eight matchups with the Astros this season.
- Pinch-Hitter Jason Castro popped out to short to end the game.
Jul 7 6:26 PM - Nelson Cruz single to left scored Ian Kinsler. On the play, Elvis Andrus advances to second. Runners on first and second with none out and Adrian Beltre due up.
Astros 4, Rangers 5 Bot 5, 0 OutsJul 7 5:00 PM - Brandon Barnes scored on A.J. Pierzynski's throwing error on the pickoff attempt. On the play, Matt Dominguez advances to third. Runner on third with none out and Jake Elmore at the plate.
Astros 4, Rangers 4 Top 5, 0 OutsJul 7 4:44 PM - J.D. Martinez single to center scored Carlos Corporan. Runner on first with two out and Brandon Barnes due up.
Astros 3, Rangers 4 Top 4, 2 OutsJul 7 4:25 PM - Adrian Beltre one-out, solo Home Run (18) to left. A.J. Pierzynski due up.
Astros 2, Rangers 4 Bot 3, 1 OutJul 7 4:09 PM - Marc Krauss none-out, two-run Home Run (1) to center scored Carlos Pena. J.D. Martinez due up.
Astros 2, Rangers 3 Top 2, 0 OutsJul 7 3:34 PM - A.J. Pierzynski two-out, three-run Home Run (8) to right scored Elvis Andrus and Nelson Cruz. Jurickson Profar due up.
Astros 0, Rangers 3 Bot 1, 2 OutsJul 7 3:24 PM - HOUSTON: 0
TEXAS: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Jul 7 3:10 PM
Related News
- Tuesday Morning Texas Rangers Update Dec 26
- Astros Crawfish Boil: December 26, 2023 Dec 26
- Christmas Morning Texas Rangers Update Dec 25
- Garver to the M’s, per reports Dec 24
- Everystros LV Dec 24
- Christmas Eve Rangers things Dec 24
- Saturday morning Rangers things Dec 23
- Astros Crawfish Boil: December 23, 2023 Dec 23
- LSB Offseason Community Prospect Rankings — #15 Dec 22
- Friday morning Rangers stuff Dec 22
- Astros Minor League Position Review: Third Base Dec 22
- Astros Crawfish Boil: December 22, 2023 Dec 22