Astros Rally, Win Series Opener Over Texas Rangers

Mauricio Dubon gave the Houston Astros the lead and the Texas Rangers had no answer down the stretch.

Andrew Dieb-USA TODAY Sports

ARLINGTON, Texas — The Texas Rangers dropped the first game of their four-game series 5-3 to the Houston Astros on Friday at Globe Life Field.

With the loss, the Rangers (49-33) saw their American League West lead over the Astros (45-37) shrink to four games. The defending World Series champions have trailed Texas in the division since the first day of the season. 

The continuation of the "Silver Boot Series" drew a sellout crowd, the sixth for the Rangers this season.

Before the game, there was a buzz in the ballpark as word circulated that the Rangers traded for former All-Star reliever Aroldis Chapman.

Houston took the lead with a three-run sixth inning, highlighted by Mauricio Dubón's two-run double to score José Abreu and Yainer Díaz for a 4-3 edge. 

Dubón was in the lineup at shortstop because normal starter Jeremy Peña was out of the lineup with a stiff neck. Manager Dusty Baker said Peña was day-to-day. 

Rangers starter Jon Gray (6-4) absorbed the loss as he threw six innings and gave up all five runs. He allowed seven hits and two walks, while striking out four. 

Two Rangers All-Stars — third baseman Josh Jung and catcher Jonah Heim — hit back-to-back solo home runs in the third inning to give the Rangers a 3-1 lead against Houston starter Ronel Blanco. 

For both Jung and Heim, it was their first game since learning they start in the Midsummer Classic on July 11 in Seattle.

The Rangers' other All-Star starters are second baseman Marcus Semien and shortstop Corey Seager. Semien scored the team's first run on a double-play groundout by Nathaniel Lowe. 

Blanco (2-0) got the win, as he went five innings, gave up four hits, three runs and four walks while striking out two. Ryan Pressly claimed his 16th save of the season. 

The Rangers and Astros continue their series on Saturday at 3:05 p.m. Texas starts right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (9-3, 2.82) opposite right-hander Hunter Brown (6-4, 3.62).

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