Houston Astros vs Texas Rangers Box Score on Aug 13, 2017

The Sports Xchange
Aug 13, 2017

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Houston Astros got a few timely hits from the heart of their order on Sunday, and they beat the Texas Rangers 2-1 to snap their season-high five-game losing streak and salvage the final game of their series at Globe Life Park.

Houston and Texas were knotted at one through six innings thanks to solo homers by the Astros' Jose Altuve and Rangers' Adrian Beltre, but the Astros pulled in front in the seventh. Yuli Gurriel doubled off of the center-field wall, moved up to third on a groundout and scored on Carlos Beltran's single to left to put them in front and give Dallas Keuchel his first win since returning from the disabled list.

Keuchel threw 6 2/3 innings and allowed just one run -- Beltre's bomb in the fifth -- after entering Sunday's game with a 10.50 ERA in his last three starts. In two games at Globe Life Park this year, Keuchel is 2-0 and has allowed one earned run in 12 2/3 innings.

Cashner gave up two runs in seven innings, but the Astros did just enough off of him to scrape by and pick up the win.

With nobody out in the eighth, Astros reliever Chris Devenski walked Nomar Mazara and Beltre, prompting Houston manager A.J. Hinch to lift him for the closer, Ken Giles. Carlos Gomez's sacrifice bunt moved the runners over, but Joey Gallo hit into an inning-ending double play to end the Rangers' best chance to either tie the game or take the lead.

Each starter cruised through three innings before Altuve finally broke through with his homer in the fourth to get Houston on the scoreboard first. Texas had a pair of chances in the fourth and fifth innings to score, but four runners were left on base in those frames, including a bases-loaded strikeout by Mazara in the fifth. The Rangers had another chance in the seventh once Keuchel exited the game, but Elvis Andrus flew out with two outs, stranding Delino DeShields on third.

Cashner and Keuchel cruised through three innings before Altuve finally broke through with his homer in the fourth to get Houston on the scoreboard first. Texas had a pair of chances in the fourth and fifth innings to score, but four runners were left on base in those frames, including a bases-loaded strikeout by Mazara in the fifth.

NOTES: Before the game, the Rangers released INF Pete Kozma, who had been with Triple-A Round Rock. ... Rangers manager Jeff Banister was ejected in the fifth inning. ... Astros RHP Will Harris threw a bullpen session for the first time since going on the disabled list with shoulder inflammation. ... Astros manager A.J. Hinch told MLB.com that Harris would need 'two, maybe three' bullpen sessions before a rehab assignment.