Houston Astros vs Texas Rangers Box Score on Jul 14, 2019

Justin Verlander retired the final 15 batters he faced before Jose Altuve ignited a seven-run seventh inning with a grand slam, and the visiting Houston Astros earned a split of their four-game series against the Texas Rangers with a 12-4 victory Sunday at Globe Life Park in Arlington.

After scoring five runs over their first two at-bats, the Astros stranded seven baserunners between the third and sixth innings prior to breaking out in the seventh.

Altuve fell behind 0-2 in the count against Rangers left-hander Kyle Bird before driving a 91.7 mph sinker just over the wall in left field to extend the Houston lead to 10-2. Bird had just entered in relief of left-hander Jesse Biddle, who allowed an RBI double to Astros catcher Robinson Chirinos that plated Josh Reddick, extending the deficit to four runs, and snapping Chirinos' 0-for-13 skid.

Yuli Gurriel added a two-run homer in the seventh, his 11th dinger in 15 games. The seven-run frame was the largest of the season for the Astros, who took the final two games of the series.

Altuve finished 3-for-5 with three runs and four RBIs. His grand slam was the ninth on the season for the Astros. Gurriel also recorded a three-hit game, going 3-for-5 with his 16th homer and three RBIs.

The first five batters reached safely against Rangers starter Ariel Jurado (5-5) in the top of the first as the Astros handed Verlander a 3-0 lead. Texas responded with four singles and two runs in the bottom of that frame, with Verlander (11-4) needing a sparkling defensive play from shortstop Myles Straw to trap Nomar Mazara between third and home and stop the bleeding.

The Astros reclaimed their three-run lead in the second when Straw scored on an Alex Bregman sacrifice fly and Altuve came home when Michael Brantley singled to right. Verlander didn't buckle this time. He walked Asdrubal Cabrera to open the second before settling into a groove that carried him through the remainder of his outing.

Verlander struck out the side in the second to get himself going and was undeterred by the Astros' inability to deliver with runners on base.

Verlander allowed two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out seven over six innings. Jurado surrendered five runs on seven hits and four walks over four innings.

--Field Level Media