Final
Rangers hope to keep pace in wild card, go for sweep of 'Stros
Sep 25, 2013 - 2:52 PM (Sports Network) - The Texas Rangers try to beat the Houston Astros for the 11th straight time and keep themselves in the American League wild card mix on Wednesday when the Lone Star State rivals close out a three-game set from Rangers Ballpark.Texas' recent mastery of the Astros continued on Tuesday, as Adrian Beltre hit a go-ahead solo homer in the sixth inning and the Rangers kept pace in the wild card chase with a 3-2 win.
The Rangers have won 16 of the 18 meetings with the woeful Astros this year and remained one game behind the Cleveland Indians for the second wild card spot with five to play.
"That home run was huge right there. We certainly needed and it couldn't have got it as a bigger time," Rangers manager Ron Washington said.
Geovany Soto went 2-for-4 with an RBI in the win, which was credited to Neal Cotts (6-3) for pitching a scoreless inning of relief behind Yu Darvish.
Matt Dominguez hit a solo homer for the Astros, whose 11th consecutive loss overall gave them 107 on the year -- tied for the most in franchise history.
Brad Peacock (5-6) was charged with three runs on six hits over six frames, the one big mistake coming on a 1-2 pitch to Beltre that broke a 2-2 tie in the sixth.
"I felt like he threw the ball outstanding," Astros manager Bo Porter said.
Getting the call for the Rangers on Wednesday will be lefty Martin Perez, who has lost his last two decisions after winning six in a row. Perez didn't get a decision on Friday in Kansas City, despite allowing just a run and seven hits, but walked four batters in 5 2/3 innings of a 2-1 loss.
"I just want to finish strong, do the same things I did before: relax, be aggressive and attack the hitters," said Perez, who is 9-5 with a 3.54 ERA. "We know we have to win. That's what I want to do -- win and compete. These games are just too important. I just need to win."
Houston, meanwhile, will counter with a young lefty of its own in Dallas Keuchel, who is 6-9 with a 4.99 ERA. Keuchel pitched well in a no-decision against Cleveland on Thursday, giving up just a run in seven innings of his team's 2-1 loss.
"Any time you can limit a good team that's pushing for the playoffs, that's big," he said. "I knew coming in I had to be conscious of throwing the fastball early. ... We had a good game plan going in, and it was about execution."
- HOUSTON: 3
TEXAS: 7
Final
Sep 25 10:50 PM - Ian Kinsler two-out, solo Home Run (13) to left. Elvis Andrus due up.
Astros 3, Rangers 7 Bot 6, 2 OutsSep 25 9:50 PM - Alex Rios single to center scored Ian Kinsler with two outs. On the play, Elvis Andrus advances to second. Runners on first and second and Adrian Beltre due up.
Astros 3, Rangers 6 Bot 4, 2 OutsSep 25 9:20 PM - Ian Kinsler single to center scored Leonys Martin with two outs. Runner on first and Elvis Andrus due up.
Astros 3, Rangers 5 Bot 4, 2 OutsSep 25 9:17 PM - Leonys Martin double to right scored Jeff Baker, Mitch Moreland and Craig Gentry with two outs. Runner on second and Ian Kinsler due up.
Astros 3, Rangers 4 Bot 4, 2 OutsSep 25 9:16 PM - Brandon Laird two-out, two-run Home Run (5) to center scored Chris Carter. L.J. Hoes due up.
Astros 3, Rangers 1 Top 4, 2 OutsSep 25 9:02 PM - Chris Carter single to right scored Jose Altuve with one out. Runner on first and J.D. Martinez due up.
Astros 1, Rangers 1 Top 4, 1 OutSep 25 9:00 PM - Elvis Andrus grounded into a fielder's choice, short to second scored Craig Gentry with two outs. Ian Kinsler out at second. Runner on first and Alex Rios due up.
Astros 0, Rangers 1 Bot 3, 2 OutsSep 25 8:50 PM - HOUSTON: 0
TEXAS: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Sep 25 8:07 PM
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