The Texas Rangers scored one run but the Houston Astros scored five runs.
Just about the only thing that ultimately went well for the Rangers tonight was Yordan Alvarez didn’t hit what surely would have been his 47th homer in this series if my count is correct. Instead, both Jeremy Pena and Isaac Paredes went deep in, you guessed it, the first inning.
Those were the 17th and 18th dongs that Texas has allowed in the first frame already this season. No other team has allowed more than 12.
Ironically, tonight’s starter Nathan Eovaldi wasn’t even terrible outside of the cursed first. Eovaldi allowed only four hits all night in seven innings of work and somehow that was enough for Houston to score five runs which proved to be more than enough.
Obviously the runs in the first inning count just as much and Eovaldi didn’t help Texas’ chances with his worst inning putting the team in an early hole but following that the 3-0 first inning deficit, the Rangers managed just four hits of their own all night and scored just once.
Then again, that’s three more hits and one more run than the last time they faced Spencer Arrighetti so, hey, progress!
The loss sealed a second series loss to Houston in two tries. Those Astros, as routinely discussed as being among the worst teams in the American League West each time they took on Texas, are now tied with the Rangers in the standings as Texas drops to a season-worst six games below .500.
Player of the Game: Josh Jung hit a solo home run that prevented the Rangers from getting shut out.
Up Next: The Rangers will open up a series against the Royals on Friday night with LHP MacKenzie Gore expected to make the start for Texas against RHP Stephen Kolek for Kansas City.
First pitch in the series opener is scheduled for 7:05 pm CDT and you can feast your eyes on the City Connects via the Rangers Sports Network or CW33 locally.
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