Rangers 9, Astros 5
Rangers 9, Astros 5: Jurickson Profar drew a bases-loaded walk to snap a 4-4 tie and Leonys Martin added a two-run double to cap a four-run eighth inning as visiting Texas rallied past in-state rival Houston.
Profar also had an RBI single and Joey Butler had two hits and scored twice for the Rangers, who have won five straight and 10 of 11 and remain tied with Oakland atop the American League West. Texas' late rally made a winner of Matt Garza (2-1), who struck out eight and allowed four runs on seven hits over seven innings.
Jason Castro and Brandon Barnes homered for Houston, which has lost six straight at home against the Rangers and trails the season series 8-2. The Astros had the bases loaded in the eighth, but Neal Cotts struck out pinch hitter Marc Krauss to end the threat and allowed one run in the ninth for his first save since 2006.
Houston left-hander Erik Bedard limited the Rangers to three runs on seven hits over 6 2/3 innings but remained winless in seven starts since June 26 when the bullpen couldn't hold the lead. Josh Zeid (0-1) and Wesley Wright were each charged with two runs in the eighth as the Astros used five relievers to get through the frame.
Castro, who extended his hitting streak to nine games, blasted an estimated 445-foot shot into the upper deck in the second and added an RBI double in the fourth for a 3-2 lead. Barnes hit a solo shot to center in the fifth.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Castro's 14 home runs are the most by an Astros catcher since Mitch Meluskey hit 14 in 2000. … The Rangers acquired OF Alex Rios from the Chicago White Sox on Friday. Rios is batting .277 with 12 home runs and 55 RBIs this season. … Astros SS Jonathan Villar (thumb) took batting practice and threw Friday but was held out of the lineup for a second straight game. Villar is expected to return sometime this weekend.