Texas Rangers Undone By Errors As Houston Astros Take Opener In Crucial Series

The Texas Rangers committed multiple errors for the first time since May 22 in series-opening loss to the Houston Astros.

Jul 12, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros left fielder Chas McCormick (20) and teammates celebrate second baseman Jose Altuve's (27) three-run home run in the seventh inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports / Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

HOUSTON — When you're seven games back and in third place in the American League West, head-to-head matchups with the teams in front of you take on extra significance.

That's what the Texas Rangers were facing as they opened a crucial three-game series with the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park.

In the opener Friday night, the Rangers wilted under the pressure, committing two errors, striking out 10 times, and hitting into two double plays in a 6-3 loss.

It's the Rangers' first multi-error game since they had four in Philadelphia on May 22, and it's only their sixth multi-error game this season.

The errors came from the very reliable left side of the infield, too. Shortstop Corey Seager hadn't committed an error since that game against the Phillies. Third baseman Josh Smith last had a miscue on June 4. Both made crucial errors that led to Astros runs on Friday night.

Seager failed to pick up Mauricio Dubón's short hop to start the third. Dubón later scored on Yordan Alvarez's two-out infield single to Seager, who was late throwing to first base. Dubón raced home and scored easily when Seager threw to first to give Houston a 1-0 lead.

After the Rangers cut the Astros' lead to 3-2 on Seager's two-run homer in the sixth, a two-out walk and throwing error to first on a slow roller to Smith set up Jose Altuve's three-run homer.

Bochy on the loss, the errors ... pic.twitter.com/JvIgLZiPWw

— Stefan Stevenson (@StefanVersusTex) July 13, 2024

Three thoughts from Friday's game:

1. Heaney Was Solid

Jul 12, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Andrew Heaney (44) pitches against the Houston Astros in the first inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports / Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Andrew Heaney held the Astros to three runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks over five innings. Solo homers to Jake Meyers in the fourth and Alex Bregman in the fifth were his only mistakes. He struck out five.
"Wasn't quite as crisp as I've been the last three or four starts, for the most part," Heaney said. "I was staying off the barrel, getting soft contact and then those two solo homers, just bad fastball location. I've said it a million times, solo homers don't beat you usually. But tonight they did."

Andrew Heaney took the loss and is now 3-10 despite pitching fine.
He's had buzzard luck. pic.twitter.com/rI5AiRK1QO

— Stefan Stevenson (@StefanVersusTex) July 13, 2024

2. Semien Sizzles In Houston

Jun 30, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Texas Rangers second base Marcus Semien (2) warms up before the game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Texas Rangers at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-USA TODAY Sports / Reggie Hildred-USA TODAY Sports

Marcus Semien was 3 for 3 with a walk and a run to continue his record pace at Minute Maid Park. Semien has hit safely in 23 consecutive games at MMP going back to May 7, 2021. He tied Joey Votto for the longest hit streak by an opponent in MMP history. He has a team-high eight games with three or more hits this season. He has walked in six consecutive games, one shy of his career-long streak set May 3-10, 2019, with Toronto.

3. Up Next

Jul 2, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (17) reacts during the seventh inning against the San Diego Padres at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports / Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (6-3, 3.10) faces Astros right-hander Spencer Arrighetti (4-7, 5.96) in Game 2 at 3:05 p.m. Saturday.

You can follow Stefan Stevenson on X @StefanVersusTex.

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