The Texas Rangers scored four runs while the Houston Astros scored three runs in 12 innings.
With the Seattle Mariners tumbling, and the Astros not figuring out a way to run away with the AL West, the Rangers have a prime opportunity for some supreme silliness.
Operation Silly got a head start tonight as the Rangers survived losing a late 3-1 lead and picked up the win when they collected their first hit with runners in scoring position since Monday. That stretched included going 0-fer their previous
27 attempts before the winner.
The hit — off the bat of called-up-today Dustin Harris — brought in Texas’ Manfred Man in the twelfth inning as the Rangers beat West-leading Houston.
The Rangers have won five of the eight games played against the Astros this season and are now just four games back of first place in the division. In addition, since those Mariners also lost against tonight, the Rangers are just a half game back of a playoff spot.
It was pretty silly, but I’m glad the Rangers won.
Player of the Game: I mean, Merrill Kelly deserves his flowers for seven innings of one-run ball, but you’ve gotta go Harris for ending this tickle fight where the Astros went 2-for-14 for RISP compared to Texas’ 1-for-14 while leaving nine on base compared to Texas’ 15.
Also, shoutout to the bullpen (Phil Maton, Shawn Armstrong, and Robert Garcia) in extras as they kept the Astros off the board with a runner in scoring position in every at bat for three consecutive innings.
Up Next: A marquee matchup awaits us in the second game of this series as RHP Jacob deGrom will take the bump for Texas against RHP Hunter Brown for Houston.
The Saturday evening first pitch from The Shed is scheduled for 6:15 pm CT and will be televised nationally on FOX.
