Springer, Astros enjoy fast start in win vs. Rangers
ARLINGTON, Texas -- George Springer led off the game with a homer and collected two RBs as the Houston Astros posted a 7-6 victory on Sunday to salvage the finale of a three-game series with the Texas Rangers.
The win cut the Texas lead in the American League West to 9 1/2 games and gave Houston just its third win in 16 matchups versus the Rangers this season.
Springer's homer came off Texas starter Yu Darvish (5-4), who was tagged for a season-high five earned runs and seven hits in four innings.
Springer's leadoff homer was followed by a bloop single from Yuli Gurriel that put Houston up 2-0. The Astros pushed the lead to 5-0 in the fourth inning on an RBI from Jake Marisnick, George Springer and Alex Bregman.
The 5-0 lead wasn't enough to get Houston starter Collin McHugh a win, though. Houston led 6-2 after Evan Gattis' solo homer in the top of the fifth but the Rangers got three runs back in the bottom of the frame on RBI doubles from Ian Desmond and Carlos Beltran along with a run-scoring single from Rougned Odor.
Right-hander Chris Devinski (3-4) settled things down by striking out three and allowing just one hit in his 1 2/3 innings. McHugh was touched for five runs on seven hits in his 4 1/3 innings. Houston got scoreless innings out of Will Harris and Luke Gregerson before Ken Giles notched his eighth save.
Houston pushed the lead to 7-5 in the sixth on an RBI grounder from Jose Altuve.
Texas got a leadoff triple in ninth off Giles and an RBI grounder from Adrian Beltre with one out. Giles then struck out Odor.
The Astros finished with 11 hits, as Bregman matched his career high with three hits. Springer finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored.
Odor got the Rangers on the board with his 29th homer in the fourth inning. He had three hits and three RBI. Desmond had a double, triple and RBI for Texas.
NOTES: The Rangers added another arm to the bullpen by recalling RHP Jose Leclerc from Triple-A Round Rock. ... Texas bench coach Steve Buechele left the club Sunday to go to Austin to watch the University of Texas football game. His son, Shane, is a freshman quarterback. ... Jose Altuve returned to the Astros' lineup after pulling up in the ninth inning with a cramp in his right calf. ... Houston LHP Dallas Keuchel threw Sunday and is still slated to start Tuesday at Cleveland. The Astros are waiting to see how he feels Monday to determine if he has to be pushed back again. Keuchel has been batting fatigue and general soreness.