Texas Rangers vs. Houston Astros Results, Stats and Recap – July 14, 2024 Gametracker

HOUSTON (AP) Josh Smith hit two home runs and four RBIs to lead the Texas Rangers to a 4-2 victory over the Houston Astros on Sunday.

Smith scored two runs in the first inning and added another with two outs in the eighth to extend the lead to 4-1. It was the first multi-homer game of the 26-year-old’s career.

The Rangers have won the last two games of the series after dropping Friday’s opener 6-3. They also earned a 2-1 victory Saturday on Nathaniel Lowe’s single in the 10th inning.

Jake Meyers cut the lead to 1 with a solo home run in the third, but the Astros went 0 for 9 with runners in scoring position to fall to 50-46 heading into the All-Star break.

Texas starter Max Scherzer allowed four hits and one run with six strikeouts over four-plus innings in his fifth start of the season.

Jon Singleton walked before Jeremy Peña singled with no outs in the ninth inning. There was one out in the inning when Singleton scored on a groundout by Joey Loperfido to cut the lead to 4-2. Trey Cabbage grounded out to end the inning and give Kirby Yates his 16th save.

Ronel Blanco (9-4) allowed two hits and two runs with five strikeouts in six innings. He calmed down after his rough first inning and retired the last 12 batters he faced.

Marcus Semien singled to lead off the game but was thrown out at second when Corey Seager hit a grounder and was thrown out at second. Smith gave the Rangers an early lead with his hard shot to the second deck to make it 2-0.

Meyers led off Houston’s third inning with a shot into the left-field seats to cut the lead to 2-1. Jose Altuve singled with two outs and stole second base, but Scherzer struck out Alex Bregman.

The Astros had a chance to tie or take the lead in the fifth inning. Peña and Meyers both singled before Loperfido walked to load the bases with no outs in the inning and chase Scherzer. Josh Sborz (2-0) took over and got out of the situation by striking out Mauricio Dubón before retiring Altuve on a fly ball and Bregman on a groundout to end the inning.

Seager drew a two-out walk in the eighth before Smith homered again to give him 10 homers this season.

Altuve reached Houston on a fielding error by Smith with one out in the eighth inning before Bregman singled against Jose Leclerc. Jacob Latz took over and struck out Yordan Alvarez before Yainer Diaz grounded out to leave Houston empty-handed again.

TRAINERS’ ROOM

Rangers: Josh Jung (fractured right wrist) hit the ball 15 times with a regular bat Sunday. Manager Bruce Bochy said he will continue to increase his activity during the break as he gets closer to a rehab assignment.

Astros: Relief pitcher Justin Verlander (neck discomfort) threw a 25-pitch session Sunday. Manager Joe Espada said he looked “really good” and will throw another relief session during the break.

—

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB