Rangers 8, Astros 3
Adrian Beltre and Josh Hamilton had big hits early as the host Texas Rangers built a big lead and continued their recent dominance of the Houston Astros with an 8-3 victory Monday.
Beltre started the scoring with an RBI single in the first and adding another run-scoring single in the second, and Hamilton laced a two-run triple in the second.
Texas has won 11 of 13 against Houston since 2009 and has outscored the Astros 71-36 during that span.
The Rangers' Derek Holland (6-2) rebounded from one of his worst outings of the year and pitched into the eighth inning.
Astros starter J.A. Happ (3-9) didn't get out of the third inning. He allowed seven runs - five earned - and remaining winless since May 14. Happ is 0-5 in seven starts during that stretch.
Texas' Mitch Moreland hit his ninth home run, a 455-foot solo shot in the eighth.
Houston right fielder Hunter Pence missed his third consecutive game with a sprained left elbow, but is expected to return to the lineup Tuesday.
The Rangers are 24-9 in their past 33 games against National League Central teams, and have won 16 of their last 20 interleague games.