Arlington, TX – A seven-run sixth inning propelled the Rangers to a 9-3 win and three-game sweep against the Houston Astros.
Ian Kinsler had a pair of hits, including a bases-clearing triple in the sixth. Adrian Beltre added a two-run home run to cap the rally.
Colby Lewis (6-5), who threw complete games in his previous two outings, pitched seven strong innings. He allowed one run on three hits and a walk while striking out 10. He retired the final eight batters he faced in the game.
"His outing was outstanding," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "Colby stayed steadfast and kept us around."
Dallas Keuchel avoided trouble throughout much of his major league debut, which earned him a no-decision. In five-plus innings, Keuchel was responsible for one run on four hits and four walks.
Fernando Rodriguez (1-7) took the loss after allowing four runs in two-thirds of an inning. He gave up one hit and walked three in relief of Keuchel.
Houston has lost five of its last six.
"We're a young team and obviously we're going to have a lot of ups and downs," Astros outfielder Jordan Schafer said of his team's recent struggles.
For the third straight game, the Astros scored first. They did so after Jason Castro worked a one-out walk in the fifth inning, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored when Kinsler was unable to make the play on a pop up.
The Rangers, who rallied for five runs in the fifth inning on Friday and the sixth on Saturday, exploded for seven in the sixth.
Rodriguez took over for Kuechel after he allowed a leadoff single by Nelson Cruz. The right-hander walked the bases loaded with two outs before Kinsler blasted a hanging curveball to the left-center field gap for a bases clearing triple. After another walk, David Carpenter took over for Rodriguez but did not fare much better.
Michael Young drove in a pair with a base hit before Beltre crushed a 1-0 fastball well over the left-field fence to cap the seven-run inning.
After Elvis Andrus knocked in an eighth Texas run in the seventh, Carlos Lee was able to get two runs back against Tanner Scheppers in the eighth with a base hit. Texas then called on Robbie Ross, who entered with two men on and struck out Brian Bogusevic to end the threat.
Torrealba beat out a double play to put a ninth run on the board for the Rangers.
Although Michael Kirkman loaded the bases in the ninth, he pitched a scoreless frame to finish off the sweep.
Game Notes
The Rangers finish their six-game homestand 5-1...Texas matched its season- high at 13 games over .500 (40-27, was 31-18 after win on May 28)...The Rangers lead the majors with 15 innings of five or more runs...No pitcher has won a start against Texas in his major league debut...The Rangers have won seven of their last eight games against Houston at Rangers Park...The Rangers are 9-3 in interleague play this season, while Houston is 3-6...Lewis is 4-1 with a 1.72 earned run average (nine earned runs in 47 innings) against Houston in his career...Lewis is 3-2 with a 2.25 ERA (11 earned runs in 44 innings) in his last six starts...The Astros activated Lee off the 15-day disabled list prior to Sunday's game and optioned Brett Wallace to Triple-A Oklahoma City...Houston manager Brad Mills was ejected for arguing balls and strikes in the ninth inning.
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