Inside The Rangers

Astros Pull To Within 1 Game Of Texas Rangers Atop AL West

The Houston Astros win again to pull to within a game of the Texas Rangers atop the AL West.

Stefan Stevenson

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
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HOUSTON – The Texas Rangers' lead atop the AL West is down to one game.

The Houston Astros beat the Rangers 4-3 for the second consecutive night to tighten the division race.

The Astros can pull even with the Rangers with a sweep in the series finale at 7:10 p.m. Wednesday.

The Rangers (59-43), without starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi for the series, were forced into a bullpen game, which included Yerry Rodriguez starting and pitching two innings.

The Astros ( 58-44) scored two in the second inning against Rodriguez after the first three batters walked, singled, and doubled.

Cody Bradford replaced Rodriguez in the third and held the Astros to a run over four innings. The lone run came on Kyle Tucker's homer in the sixth that made it 3-1. The Rangers scored in the top of the inning to briefly cut Houston's lead in half. Bradford lasted five innings, holding the Astros to two runs on six hits.

Mitch Garver's two-run homer in the ninth pulled Texas to within 4-3, but Leody Taveras flew out to the right-field track to end the game.

Astros 4, Rangers 3

MLB Replay Strikes Rangers Again

In the eighth, Travis Jankowski doubled to the left-field corner to score Marcus Semien from first base. It should have pulled the Rangers to within 4-2. The Astros challenged the play at the plate, however, and inexplicably, MLB replay officials in New York City overturned the safe call on the field and ruled Semien was tagged out by catcher Martin Maldonado.

The replays on the television broadcast did not show a conclusive angle that made the call any clearer. But replay officials in NYC overturned it anyway.

Up Next

Rangers left-hander Andrew Heaney (6-6, 4.58) faces Astros left-hander Framber Valdez (8-6, 2.94) in the series finale at 7:10 p.m. Wednesday.

You can follow Stefan Stevenson on Twitter @StefanVersusTex.

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Stefan Stevenson
STEFAN STEVENSON

Stefan Stevenson worked as a journalist and editor at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram for 25 years, covering sports, concerts, and general news. His beats have included the Dallas Cowboys, the Texas Rangers, and Texas Christian University football.

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