Battle for AL West continues as Astros, Rangers clash
Unable to make it to the American League West on Saturday after following Texas Rangers loss with a loved one Houston Astros They were on the verge of defeat on Sunday when they trailed the Oakland Athletics in the top of the seventh inning
But as most of his season has been affected by injuries Astros Mauricio Dubon slugged a home run in the ninth, giving Houston the 3–2 win and the series before being able to pull even in the seventh.
Astros They will now look to ensure that this momentum continues when they begin the crucial three-match series against the visiting team on Monday. rangers
Houston needs to achieve sweep even to catch Texas in AL West rangers Currently holding a three game lead over their in-state rival
Despite being without slugger Jordan Alvarez and star second baseman José Altuve due to oblique injuries, Astros They are doing everything they can to keep Texas within striking distance. Alvarez hasn’t played since June 8, while Altuve last saw action on July 3
Dubon said, “We’ve got dogs here.” “We’re doing it without Altuve and Alvarez, and I think the team will bounce back when they come back. We’re in a pretty good position right now.
“We’re coming to Texas and everybody knows what’s up. I think going back home on a high note, we’ll have great momentum.”
Right-hander Brandon Bilak (5-5, 3.46 ERA) will start the series. Astros on Monday. He pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings in a 4–1 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday, allowing one hit and three walks while recording four strikeouts.
Bielack is 2–1 with a 1.02 ERA in three starts since returning from Triple-A Sugar Land on July 3.
in seven career relief appearances against rangers, Bilak is 1–1 with a 4.15 ERA. He last faced Texas on June 15, 2022 and pitched one scoreless inning
Right-hander John Gray (6-5, 3.31) will get the nod for rangers on Monday. He is winless in his last seven starts and has compiled an 0-4 record with a 4.66 ERA during that span. Gray last earned a win on June 2 against the Seattle Mariners when he pitched seven scoreless innings while allowing two hits and one walk.
Gray is 1-3 with a 3.94 ERA in six career starts against Astros, He was Texas’ record pitcher in a 5–3 loss on June 30 after allowing five runs on seven hits and two walks with four strikeouts.
When rangers Saved his three-game home series finale against the Los Angeles Dodgers with an 8–4 victory on Sunday, doing so by rallying after the Dodgers scored four runs in the first inning after scoring 27 runs in the first two games of the series.
Texas manager Bruce Bochy said, “The thing I liked about it is we lost the first two games and we lost (Sunday) by four runs.” “We responded immediately.”
–Field Level Media
