Astros 4, Rangers 3
ARLINGTON, Texas, Apr 27 — The Texas Rangers have lost their second straight game. On Wednesday night, a crowd of 20,399 filed into Globe Life Field on another pleasantly warm evening in Arlington. This was the Rangers’ third game in a four-game series against the Houston Astros. Despite numerous base hits, the Rangers were not triumphant. Wednesday’s final score was 4–3 in favor of Houston. They’ll have one last chance in the finale of this set on Thursday. The lefty Martin Perez (0–2, 3.86 ERA) will make the start for the Rangers. The Astros will counter with their trump card in ace right-hander Justin Verlander (1–1, 1.89 ERA). Meanwhile, here is a look at Wednesday’s game.
Pitch Imperfect
For the second consecutive night, the Astros got things started quickly. It was on the very first pitch of the game that Rangers’ starter Glenn Otto threw. Astros center fielder Chas McCormick blasted a home run to right field. It immediately put Houston on the board 1–0. Coincidentally, for the second night in a row, the Rangers tied it up quickly. They did this with a home run of their own in the bottom of the second inning. It came off the bat of catcher Mitch Garver. It was his second round-tripper of the year.
Texas would pull ahead by a score of 2–1 later in the inning. Brad Miller drove in Adolis Garcia on a single. It also moved Jonah Heim to second base. The Rangers’ third run came on a groundout recorded by Miller in the bottom of the ninth inning. The play brought in Willie Calhoun from third.
In the top of the fifth inning, the Astros moved in front again. This time it was on a three run double by Kyle Tucker. Chas McCormick, Michael Brantley, and Yordan Alvarez all scored on the play.
Pitching Particulars
Right-hander Glenn Otto started this one for the Rangers. He pitched 4 1/3 innings. He allowed two runs, both of which were earned, on four hits. One of those hits was the home run to McCormick in the first inning. He walked two, and struck out five. Brett Martin took over in the fifth inning. He pitched two-thirds of an inning. He surrendered two runs on two hits. Martin also walked one, and struck out one.
Lefty Matt Moore took over in the bottom of the sixth inning. He threw two innings, and allowed a hit and a walk. Moore also struck out two. Garrett Richards also pitched an inning for the Rangers. He was perfect in said inning, striking out two Astros in the process. In fact, the Rangers’ pitching staff as whole had ten strikeouts on the evening.
Meanwhile Cristian Javier got the ball for Houston. He went five innings. He gave up two earned runs on four hits. One of them was the home run to Garver. Javier walked two, and struck out two. Righty Bryan Abreu took over for Houston in the sixth inning. He gave up one hit, and had three strikeouts. Phil Maton was the next arm that the Astros used. He pitched one inning, and gave up one hit.
Next out of the Houston bullpen was Hector Neris. He pitched a perfect foramen the top of the 8th.The last pitcher that the Astros used was righty Ryne Stanek. Javier got the winning decision for Houston (1–0, 1:35 ERA). Martin took the loss for Texas (0–2, 4.50 ERA). Stanek recorded the save for Houston. It was his first of the season.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
Players Mentioned:
Martin Perez, Justin Verlander, Glenn Otto, Chas McCormick, Mitch Garver, Brad Miller, Adolis Garcia, Jonah Heim, Willie Calhoun, Kyle Tucker. Michael Brantley, Yordan Alvarez, Brett Martin, Matt Moore, Cristian Javier, Bryan Abreu, Phil Maton, Hector Neris, Ryne Stanek, Garrett Richards