Rangers rally to claim series win over Astros as late-game heroics light up Arlington showdown
ARLINGTON, TX – Heading into the weekend, the Texas Rangers found themselves five games back of the Houston Astros and trailing the Seattle Mariners by a game and a half for the final wild card spot. The series, buzzing with anticipation among fans, lived up to expectations, showcasing thrilling moments and fierce competition.
Friday – The Little Rascals Get it Done in Extras
As is often the case, the Rangers’ offense started slowly. The Astros struck first in the top of the second inning, with Victor Caratini’s single driving in Jésus Sánchez. Texas responded quickly, with Dylan Moore delivering a sacrifice fly that brought home Josh Jung, leveling the game at 1-1.
In a pivotal third inning, Jake Burger launched his 13th home run of the season, giving the Rangers a 3-1 advantage. Merrill Kelly was dominant on the mound for Texas, fanning seven batters over his seven innings before handing the ball over in the eighth. However, the momentum shifted when Carlos Correa, acquired just before the trade deadline, smashed a two-run homer, tying the game at three.
The Rangers had opportunities to reclaim the lead, leaving two runners stranded in scoring position, and neither team could break the stalemate in the ninth. The game moved into extras, where the Texas bullpen shone brightly, allowing just one hit and one walk over the final innings. In the dramatic bottom of the 12th, Dustin Harris hit a double down the first baseline, enabling Cody Freeman to score the winning run, securing the series opener for the Rangers.
Saturday – Houston Dominates Pitchers’ Duel
The second game of the series featured a marquee matchup between Cy Young contenders Hunter Brown of the Astros and Jacob deGrom of the Rangers. The expectation was high, but the Rangers struggled to capitalize on an early scoring chance, leaving the bases loaded in the first inning.
That missed opportunity loomed large as the Astros took the lead with a solo shot from Christian Walker in the fourth inning. Yordan Alvarez extended Houston’s lead to 2-0 with a home run in the fifth, followed by a double from Yainer Diaz that made it 3-0 in the sixth. DeGrom’s night ended after 5 ⅓ innings, during which he recorded eight strikeouts but conceded three runs on five hits and two walks.
Brown matched deGrom’s intensity, also striking out eight while allowing just four hits and no runs through six innings. However, the tide turned in the eighth when Hoby Milner failed to record an out, surrendering three runs. The Astros continued to pile on the runs, scoring five more in the ninth to finish with an emphatic 11-0 victory.
Sunday – Rangers Take Home The Series
With each team having claimed a win, the rubber match on Sunday held significant weight for both the Rangers and Astros. Texas finally took the lead in the series when a throwing error by Yainer Diaz on a dropped third strike allowed Dylan Helman to cross home plate.
Patrick Corbin delivered a solid performance for Texas, pitching five and two-thirds innings with five strikeouts and just one run allowed. The Astros managed to tie the game in the sixth, as Jeremy Peña’s single brought Mauricio Dubon home.
But the Rangers responded swiftly in the bottom half of the inning, regaining the lead with a double from Josh Jung, and extending their advantage to 4-1 when Jake Burger hit his 14th home run of the season. The Astros could only muster a single run in the seventh on a fielder’s choice, leaving the Rangers to claim the first series victory over Houston this month.
The two teams are set to meet again in Houston from September 15 to September 17, promising more excitement as the playoff race heats up.
