Rangers 6, Astros 5
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Mitch Moreland's ninth-inning sacrifice fly gave the Rangers a 6-5 win over the Houston Astros on Tuesday and vaulted Texas into first place in the American League West for the first time in 2015.
The second of four games between the Lone Star State rivals at Globe Life Park this week had all the drama and atmosphere of a playoff contest. The lead went back and forth early, as both starters struggled with their command.
Each bullpen settled down before the Rangers mounted the game-winning rally in their last at-bat. Designated hitter Prince Fielder started it with an opposite-field single off reliever Oliver Perez (0-2) to lead off the ninth.
Houston manager A.J. Hinch turned to seventh reliever of the evening, Will Harris, who promptly gave up a single to third baseman Adrian Beltre. Pinch runner Drew Stubbs, in for Fielder, went to third.
First baseman Moreland followed with a line drive that center fielder Jake Marisnick caught, but his throw was off line and Stubbs scored easily to give Texas the walk-off win.
The Astros (77-68) had held the division's top spot for 139 days this season. The Rangers (77-67) are now on top by a half-game.
Houston is just 4-10 against Texas this season.
The two starters -- Texas' Derek Holland and Houston's Collin McHugh -- both gave up five runs and didn't factor in the decision. Rangers closer Shawn Tolleson (6-3) worked the ninth and picked up the win.
Texas touched up McHugh for four runs in the first. The Rangers took advantage of a walk, hit batter, two steals and four singles, a couple being well-placed.
Fielder, facing a left-handed shift, drove home the first run with a roller through the hole left open at short. Beltre followed with a run-scoring blooper to right that second baseman Jose Altuve nearly tracked down.
A groundout by second baseman Rougned Odor and soft liner to right by shortstop Elvis Andrus drove in the final two runs of the frame.
Holland didn't take advantage of the early cushion by giving three runs back in the top of the second on three hits, a walk and hit batter.
First baseman Chris Carter doubled to plate left fielder Colby Rasmus. Catcher Hank Conger followed with an RBI single, and Marisnick laid down a perfect squeeze bunt to finish out the scoring.
The Astros climbed all the way back and took a 5-4 lead in the fourth on designated hitter Evan Gattis' two-out, bases-loaded single off Holland.
In the bottom of the inning, Beltre's two-out double into the left field corner scored a chugging Fielder from first base to tie the game and chase McHugh.
NOTES: The Rangers and the Chicago Cubs came into Tuesday with the largest increase in wins over last season at nine. The Houston Astros were third at plus seven. ... Rangers LHP Derek Holland was the fourth consecutive left-handed starter the Astros faced. Texas is scheduled to throw LHP Martin Perez on Wednesday. ... Rangers manager Jeff Banister said that Mike Napoli would be the regular left fielder against left-handed pitchers. Napoli has been primarily used at first base since the Rangers reacquired him. ... The Rangers-Astros game in Houston on Sept. 26 was selected as a FOX National telecast, with game time moved from 6:10 p.m. CT to 12:05 p.m. CT.