Astros Top Rangers Take AL West Lead
Astros Beat Rangers, Move Atop AL West with Series Win
HOUSTON — The Astros (84-69) tightened their grip on the playoff race Wednesday night, extending their lead over the Texas Rangers (79-74) to five games and clinching the season series between the Lone Star rivals.
The victory also pushed Houston a half-game ahead of the Seattle Mariners (83-69) in the AL West, after Seattle fell 7-5 to the Kansas City Royals. The Astros and Mariners now set up a pivotal three-game showdown in Houston starting Friday.
Houston wasted no time against Rangers ace Jacob deGrom (12-8). Jeremy Peña opened the first with a double, Carlos Correa added an infield single, and with two outs, Yainer Díaz delivered a clutch two-run single to left.
DeGrom briefly settled down, but in the third inning, Jose Altuve broke a 2-2 tie with his 26th homer of the year, a 372-foot shot to left. Peña added insurance in the fifth with his 16th homer, a solo blast to right. DeGrom lasted five innings, allowing five runs on six hits with six strikeouts.
Astros starter Cristian Javier (2-3) turned in one of his best outings of the month, tossing six innings of two-run ball. He struck out four, walked one, and worked out of early trouble after the Rangers rallied to tie the game in the second. From there, Javier retired nine straight before finishing strong with a highlight-reel play — Peña’s leaping throw to first that Christian Walker scooped to end the sixth.
Bryan King handled the final four outs, locking down his second save of the season.
With the series win secured and momentum on their side, the Astros now turn their attention to a critical weekend set against the Mariners that could define the division race.
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