Houston, TX – The Texas Rangers rallied for four runs in the eighth to down the Houston Astros, 9-5, in the opener of a four-game set.
The Rangers went into the eighth trailing 4-3. Ian Kinsler opened the inning with a walk and then stole second base before scoring on Adrian Beltre's base hit to center. After relievers Kevin Chapman and Josh Fields recorded the next two outs of the inning, the latter issued two walks to load the bases before he was replaced by lefty Wesley Wright.
Wright, though, walked Jurickson Profar to plate the go-ahead run before giving up a two-run double to Leonys Martin.
"Since we're playing so aggressively, that lead that they had didn't mean a lot to us," Martin said. "I think we're playing good baseball right now."
The Astros loaded the bases in the home half, but Neal Cotts fanned Marc Krauss to end the threat.
Profar finished with a pair of RBI, while A.J. Pierzynski, Jeff Baker and David Murphy each drove in a run for the Rangers, who have won five straight games and 10 of their last 11 overall.
Matt Garza (2-1) earned the win despite giving up four runs over seven innings. The right-hander, who was acquired from the Chicago Cubs prior to last month's trade deadline, struck out eight and walked just one to earn his first win since making his debut with the club on July 24.
Earlier on Friday, Texas acquired outfielder Alex Rios and cash considerations from the Chicago White Sox for a player to be named later or cash considerations.
Jason Castro and Brett Barnes each homered for the Astros, who fell to an MLB- worst 37-77.
Josh Zeid (0-1) was pegged with the loss after putting the go-ahead run on base in the eighth.
"I personally feel sorry for our starters, but they are not going to show it because they are good teammates," manager Bo Porter said.
Castro opened the second inning with a homer, but the Rangers plated a pair in the fourth to take the lead.
With the bases loaded an no outs, Baker lifted a sacrifice fly to center to score Kinsler. Craig Gentry followed with a suicide squeeze up the first base line to score Beltre.
The Astros pushed two runs across in the fourth to go up 3-2. L.J. Hoes doubled then scored on Jose Altuve's double to left field. Castro followed with a double to left to score Altuve.
Barnes led off the fifth with a solo shot to give the hosts a 4-2 edge, but Profar singled home Joey Butler in the seventh to make it a one-run game.
The Rangers went on to added two more runs in the ninth and the Astros managed to push one across in the bottom of the frame to account for the final margin.
Game Notes
Texas was 6-for-17 with runners in scoring position ... Since 2009, the Rangers are 16-3 at Minute Maid Park ... Texas owns a 27-16 advantage in the all-time series ... The Astros went 3-for-10 with RISP and stranded eight runners on base ... Houston starter Eric Bedard gave up three runs on seven hits over 6 2/3 innings.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.