Rangers 7, Astros 3
Leonys Martin delivered a three-run double and Ian Kinsler drove in two and scored twice as Texas defeated visiting Houston for the 11th consecutive time.
Martin Perez (10-5) struck out eight in seven innings and allowed three runs on six hits to help the Rangers remain one game behind the Cleveland Indians in the competition for the American League’s second wild-card berth. The loss was the 108th for the Astros to break the franchise record set last season.
Houston took a 3-1 lead in the fourth on Chris Carter’s run-scoring single and Brandon Laird’s two-run blast to center. Martin’s bases-clearing double in the bottom of the frame put the Rangers ahead and Kinsler and Alex Rios added run-scoring singles later in the inning.
Kinsler homered into the left-field stands off Dallas Keuchel (6-10) in the sixth to make it a four-run game as Texas completed a three-game sweep and improved to 17-2 against the Astros this season.
Keuchel allowed seven runs (six earned) and six hits in 5 2/3 innings.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Texas has won 36 of its last 43 games against Houston. … Astros SS Jonathan Villar was hitless in four at-bats Wednesday and went 0-for-13 in the series. … The Rangers quest for a wild-card spot continues Thursday when they open a four-game home series against the Los Angeles Angels.