ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — George Springer and Evan Gattis homered for the Houston Astros, who avoided a series sweep at the AL-best Texas with a 7-6 victory Sunday that snapped the Rangers’ seven-game winning streak.
Houston is still 9 1/2 games behind Texas in the AL West with four weeks left in the regular season, and has won only three of 16 games against its division rival this season.
The Astros were in front to stay after Springer led off the game against Yu Darvish with his 26th homer, and built a 5-0 lead before the ace was gone after four innings. Gattis, who struck out in each of his other four at-bats, hit his 24th homer in the fifth for a 6-2 lead.
Chris Devenski (3-4) pitched 1 2-3 scoreless innings after taking over for starter Collin McHugh with one out in bottom of the fifth when the Rangers still had a runner on base and had already scored three runs in the inning to get within 6-5.
Ken Giles pitched the ninth for his eighth save in 11 chances, the final out coming when the right-hander struck out hot-hitting Rougned Odor.
Odor had three hits and drove in three runs, including his 29th homer and an RBI single. He homered for the third time in four games and finished the 10-game homestand with six homers and 17 RBIs.
Darvish (5-4), in his shortest outing this season, allowed five runs in four innings. He struck out four, walked three and had two wild pitches.
BRUISED AND BLEEDING
Rangers LF Carlos Gomez had blood streaming down his face after getting cut by his own helmet when sliding headfirst into second base on a stolen base in the sixth inning. The helmet popped off, bounced off the ground and into his face. A trainer came out and looked at Gomez, who then disappeared briefly into the dugout before returning with two bandages — one on the bridge of his nose, and another over the top corner of his left eye. A few pitches later, he was picked off second base.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Astros: Jose Altuve was the DH a day after suffering a cramp in his calf coming out of the batter’s box when he grounded into a game-ending double play. … While manager A.J. Hinch said INF Marwin Gonzalez was available as a defensive replacement or pinch-hitter, he hasn’t played since leaving midway through Wednesday game because of a right hamstring injury. … LHP Dallas Keuchel played catch for the first time since his scheduled start Friday was pushed back due to arm fatigue. Hinch said the Astros aren’t sure if he’ll pitch Tuesday.
Rangers: C Jonathan Lucroy was back in the lineup and not feeling any lingering issues from flu-like symptoms that kept him to miss Saturday’s game. … RHP Keone Kela said he was OK after a liner deflected off the palm of his right hand in Saturday’s game.
UP NEXT
Astros: Continue their stretch of 13 consecutive games against division leaders. They open a four-game series Monday at AL Central leader Cleveland before going home to play the NL Central-leading Chicago Cubs and the Rangers.
Rangers: Open a 10-game road trip when they will face three AL West rivals. That starts Monday in Seattle, and ends the following week with three games in Houston.