The Astros lost 7-3 to the Texas Rangers Friday night at Globe Life Field. They now fall to 46-50, now three games back in the AL West. Houston has lost three of their last four games, and are looking eerily similar to the team they were just a few months ago.
The Rangers jumped out to a 2-0 lead off Hunter Brown in the first inning, and Joc Pederson added a solo homer in the fifth to make it 3-0.
Brown gave up three runs in six innings with five walks, not his best but kept the team in the game. Brown's five walks matched his career high, and at least one of them came on a questionable call that many felt should have been a strike. The inconsistent strike zone did not help his night.
Even with a tough loss, Yordan Alvarez was still Yordan Alvarez. Alvarez led off the sixth with a 455-foot solo homer to right field, his 30th of the season and 200th career home run.
A huge moment for the legendary slugger in the making. Players like Yordan Alvarez don't come along very often, and the Astros need him more than ever if they want to remain competitive.
Yainer Diaz followed in the seventh with a two-run homer off Chris Martin to tie it at 3-3. Just like that the Astros were right back in it and looked like they were going to steal one on the road.
Diaz also had a strong night behind the plate, catching Evan Carter stealing second base and throwing a bullet for the out. Carter came in leading the Rangers with 11 stolen bases in 11 attempts, making it an even more impressive throw from Diaz.
The eighth inning was the killer for the Stros…
Wyatt Langford led off the eighth with a homer off Bryan King, and Jake Burger followed with a three-run shot to blow the game open at 7-3. King falls to 2-2 on the season.
Peter Lambert faces Kumar Rocker in game two Saturday night. Rangers lead the AL West at 48-46, Seattle second at 47-48, Astros third at 46-50. Houston has lost three of their last four games, and the cold streak is living on way longer than they can afford.
A series win this weekend is critical before the All-Star break. The AL West race is tightening at the wrong time for Houston.
The bullpen which had been one of the best in baseball has now blown two games in a row. Lambert and the Astros need to bounce back tonight, and Lambert really needs to give the team some length.
