Astros continues to dominate the home against the Rangers with a 5-1 victory

HUSTON – Houston catcher Martin Maldanado entered the game on Thursday, scoring just 0.116.

But due to the fact that in the eighth inning “Astros” holds the only advantage, and in the eighth inning there are two exits, manager Dusty Baker decided to stay with the veteran and not use the strikers.

Baker’s decision paid off when Maldon made a double three times to give the Astros some insurance in a 5-1 victory over the Texas Rangers.

“Sometimes, in the right circumstances, you have to give someone confidence in the bat,” Baker said. “He was a left-hander and fortunately Martin cleared the base. You can’t hit him all the time, otherwise he’ll never gain confidence.”

Jose Altowe has added four hits this season to support Framber Valdes ’strong start and help the Astros continue to dominate the Rangers.

The win extended Houston’s winning streak at home against the Rangers to 11. Texas won 0-9 at Minute Maid Park last season and has not won in Houston since Sept. 16, 2020.

The Astros, who lost two of the last three away, won their ninth straight in the overall standings at home.

Valdez (3-2) conceded six strikes and a series, tying the season’s result with seven rebounds in seven innings for his second straight win. The left-hander swayed with a walk in the lead and a failure in the first, which helped the Rangers come out ahead with a score of 1-0. He then decided to keep them pointless for the next six innings and reduce his ERA to 2.68.

“He was good,” Baker said. “He was very good, and he scored it when needed. Probably in this seventh inning he threw harder than ever in the game. He emptied the tank. He really wanted this victory. “

Altowe, who scored two doubles, scored the first to equalize before RBI single Kyle Tucker put Houston in first place with a score of 2-1.

Josh Sborz went through three consecutive bouncers to load the base, one came out in the eighth and was replaced by Matt Moore. Moore struck out Jose Siri before Maldonada scored his double to clear the base and make the score 5-1.

“Having the opportunity to help on the offensive side … it was huge,” Maldonado said.

Glen Otto (1-2) put the ball well after giving up two runs ahead of time, but the Rangers were unable to provide any support in the run after the first to keep the rookie without a win since 22 April. He made seven strokes and two career-high six innings.

“They didn’t hit him hard,” said Texas manager Chris Woodward.

Eli White made the lead moves before moving to second place on the Marcus Semien foundation. Valdes ’refusal sent White into third place, and the Rangers took the lead when White scored one goal from Corey Seeger.

Altowe opened the first double in Houston and moved to third on the wild. Otto knocked down Alex Bragman before Altowe scored in Aledmis Diaz’s singles single to equalize. Bragman was knocked out third in the game and Diaz moved on to second.

Tucker put Houston ahead 2-1 when he brought one to the right and scored Diaz.

Astros had a shot to add the lead in the second inning when Siri was at second base with two outs. Altuve scored, and Siri ran home, but Charlie Kalberson’s throw defeated him there to end the half.

Coaching room

Rangers: Mitch Harver was activated from a 10-day injured list before Thursday’s game. OF Nick Solak was selected in Triple-A Round Rock to make room for him on the list.

MAKE TWO

Both elections in the first round of the Houston Texans in this year’s draft dropped the ceremonial first innings before the game on Thursday. Kenyon Green, the offensive lineman who finished 15th overall, went first and struck. To keep up, defender Derek Stingley Jr., who was the third pick, also struck.

NEXT

Christian Javier of Houston (2-1, 3.20 ERA) faces Martin Perez (2-2, 2.01) as the series continues on Friday night.