Bullpen pitches out of trouble, Rangers beat Astros 4-3

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Relievers Sam Freeman and Shawn Tolleson pitched out of trouble and the Texas Rangers held off the Houston Astros 4-3 on Tuesday night.

Freeman relieved Yovani Gallardo (8-9) in the sixth inning, and allowed a single and a walk to load the bases with one out. Freeman then retired Luis Valbuena and Marwin Gonzalez.

Tolleson earned his 20th save, all since May 20, despite giving up a walk and Valbuena’s second single before recording an out. Jason Castro and Jose Altuve struck out for the final two outs.

Texas erased a 2-1 deficit with three runs in the fifth against Dan Straily (0-1).

- Advertisement -

Delino DeShields’ triple and singles by Rougned Odor and Josh Harrison drove in the runs.

Straily was recalled from Triple-A Fresno to replace scheduled starter Mike Fiers, who was not available because he pitched five relief innings on Monday. Straily pitched three scoreless innings until Prince Fielder led off the fourth with a home run.

Houston’s Carlos Gomez drove in two runs with a double and a homer.

In the second, Colby Rasmus walked with two outs, stole second and scored on Valbuena’s single.

- Advertisement -

The Astros added a run in the third. Altuve singled and scored on Gomez’s double.

Houston starter Dan Straily allowed only one hit and one walk in the first three innings, but Texas’ Prince Fielder led off the fourth with a home run off the facing of the upper deck in right field.

After Straily left with two outs in the fifth, Josh Hamilton singled against Tony Sipp for Texas’ final run.

Gallardo left the game in the sixth. Gomez led off with his first homer since being traded to the Astros on July 30, and Gallardo walked Carlos Correa. Freeman held the 4-3 lead to give the Rangers their sixth victory in seven games.

- Advertisement -

TRAINER’S ROOM

Astros: Gomez stayed on the infield dirt after diving into second base on a third-inning pickoff attempt. Manager A.J. Hinch and a trainer went on the field, but Gomez stayed in the game and homered on his next at-bat.

Rangers: LHP Derek Holland (strained shoulder) made his second injury-rehab start for Triple-A Round Rock. After pitching two scoreless innings, he allowed all four batters in the third to reach base. Holland gave up two runs, one earned and threw 35 strikes in 55 pitches.

UP NEXT

Astros: In Wednesday’s final game of the three-game series, LHP Scott Kazmir will try to continue last month’s success. He allowed only one earned run in 34 innings for an 0.26 ERA, the third-lowest July mark in history.

Rangers: RHP Nick Martinez is scheduled to start on his 25th birthday. He is 2-1, 1.80 in five career starts vs. Houston, all last season.

- Digital Sponsors -