Rangers 9, Astros 3
Ian Kinsler’s bases-loaded triple sparked a seven-run sixth inning and Colby Lewis struck out 10 over seven strong innings as Texas completed a home sweep of its in-state rival.
Dallas Keuchel, making his major league debut, held the Rangers scoreless for the first five innings but was lifted after allowing a leadoff single to Nelson Cruz in the sixth. Houston reliever Fernando Rodriguez (1-7) recorded two outs but walked a pair to fill the bases for Kinsler, who stroked a 1-2 pitch into the gap in left-center field.
After Rodriguez walked Elvis Andrus, Michael Young followed with a two-run single against David Carpenter and Adrian Beltre homered to left to give Texas a six-run cushion. That was more than enough for Lewis (6-5), who yielded just one run on three hits and a walk.
Matt Downs drove in Houston’s first run with an infield single in the fifth inning and Carlos Lee, making his return from a stint on the disabled list, had a two-run base hit in the eighth. The Astros loaded the bases with two out in the ninth inning but failed to score.
Keuchel gave up just four hits but walked four, striking out two.
Andrus added an RBI single in the seventh inning for the Rangers, who got another insurance run in the eighth on a bases-loaded fielder's choice by Yorvit Torrealba.
GAME NOTEBOOK: The Rangers have won nine of their last 12 games against Houston dating back to last year ... Houston fell to 9-25 on the road this season ... Lewis reached double digits in strikeouts for the fifth time in his career.