Texas Rangers Fall to Astros as Bullpen Falters

The Texas Rangers had a two-run lead early, but the game got away from the bullpen as the Houston Astros claimed victory.

The Texas Rangers lost to the Houston Astros 8-2 in the second game of a three-game set at Minute Maid Park on Saturday night in Houston. 

The Rangers (8-6) were dealt a blow in the third inning when starting pitcher Jon Gray took a Yainer Diaz 109.3-mph line drive off his right forearm. At the time, the Rangers had a 2-0 lead and Gray had not allowed a hit. Cole Ragans came on in relief. 

The Astros (7-8) scored two runs in the third inning, took the lead in the fourth and scored five more runs in the eighth to take a commanding lead for starter Hunter Brown (2-0). 

Ragans (2-1) took his first loss of the season, as he allowed the Astros' go-ahead run in the third. He pitched four innings, gave up five hits and three runs while walking none and striking out three. 

Gray went two innings, giving up a hit and a run while striking out two and walking one. Ian Kennedy gave up five runs in the seventh, allowing two hits and two walks in 1/3 inning before giving way to Josh Sborz, who made his season debut. He went 1 2/3 innings, giving up two hits and a walk. 

Brown went seven innings, giving up five hits, two runs and one walk while striking out five for Houston. 

Travis Jankowski was the only Rangers hitter with at least two hits, going 2-for-3. 

The Rangers end the series on Sunday at 6 p.m. on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball. Andrew Heaney (1-1) starts for the Rangers, while Framber Valdez (1-1) goes for the Astros. 

The Rangers scored both of their runs in the top of the third inning. Rangers left fielder Robbie Grossman reached on an error by Astros infielder Mauricio Dubon. He moved to third base on a Jankowski single. 

Leody Taveras reached on a fielder's choice that saw Grossman thrown out at home. Marcus Semien singled to left field to score Jankowski and move Taveras 90 feet and give the Rangers a 1-0 lead. 

Marcus Semien STARTS US OFF tonight! 👏
@Rangers | #StraightUpTX | 📺: BSSW pic.twitter.com/MWtsJaRPBU

— Bally Sports Southwest (@BallySportsSW) April 15, 2023

The Rangers took a 2-0 lead on a bases-loaded single by Adolis Garcia. But the Rangers went cold after that. 

Dubon had a great night in the leadoff spot for Houston, going 2-for-5 with two runs. Yordan Alvarez drove in three runs on one hit, while Jeremy Pena went 2-for-4 with two RBI. 

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You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard

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