The Astros dropped the series finale to the Rangers 6-5 Sunday afternoon at Globe Life Field on a Brandon Nimmo walk-off single in the ninth inning. A gut punch way to head into the All-Star break.
Cristian Javier made his first start since April 8, his fourth start and sixth appearance of the season. It was a rocky outing from the start.
Brice Matthews dropped a ball in the outfield in the second inning, putting a runner on third. Javier then gave up a Pederson double that scored two, and by the end of the second inning the Rangers led 3-0. Javier lasted just three innings total.
Taylor Trammell came in to replace Matthews after Matthews appeared to be hurt from coming down from the catch attempt.
Here is a look at Javier's line, per ESPN:
- IP: 3.0
- H: 4
- R: 3
- ER: 3
- BB: 3
- K: 4
- Pitches: 60
Despite the rough start, the Astros fought back. Jose Altuve hit his 11th homer of the season in the fourth, a 387-foot shot to left center off MacKenzie Gore. His 39th career homer against the Texas Rangers.
Then in the seventh the Astros rallied for three runs. Peña hit a sacrifice fly to cut it to 4-2, and Isaac Paredes came through with a bases-loaded single to tie it at 4-4.
Cam Smith then launched his 12th homer of the season to give the Astros a 5-4 lead, the 22nd homer by an Astro against Rangers pitching this season.
But the Rangers answered right back with a homer to tie it at 5-5.
Josh Hader came in to close it out in the ninth, but Dezenzo misplayed a ball, giving the Rangers a double and the winning run in scoring position. Nimmo then delivered a walk-off single to win it for Texas 6-5.
The Astros head into the All-Star break at 47-51, two games back of the Rangers in the AL West. They will need to come back strong after the break if they want to keep this season from slipping away.
