Semien, Seager RBI singles for Texas in 6-2 win over Astros

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Corey Seager seems like issues are beginning to come collectively for the Texas Rangers, who’ve received 4 of their final 5 video games.

Marcus Semien and Seager, the 2 large offseason additions, had RBI singles within the decisive seventh inning, final season’s prime rookie Adolis Garcia had a bases-clearing double within the eighth and the Rangers beat the Houston Astros 6-2 within the opener of a four-game collection Monday evening.

“Every thing’s sort of clicking on either side, the chemistry is getting higher,” Seager stated. “There’s numerous new faces, and numerous new elements that we’re coming collectively … and are beginning to determine themselves out.”

Together with the well timed hitting late, Matt Moore (1-0) and three different relievers mixed for 3 1/3 scoreless innings. Younger right-handed starter Dane Dunning struck out 5 and allowed two runs in 5 2/3 innings.

Pinch-hitter Willie Calhoun opened the Texas seventh with a double off just-in reliever Phil Maton (0-1), who after getting his solely out allowed Semien’s single by means of the left facet of the drawn-in infield that tied the sport at 2-2. After a single by Garcia, one other pitching change and a wild pitch, Semien got here dwelling with the go-ahead run on Seager’s sharp single to proper.

“For Willie to come back off the bench proper there, it’s not a simple factor to do,” Texas supervisor Chris Woodward stated. “An enormous hit there to start out that inning, and we find yourself getting the lead. And Semien had a very good at-bat earlier than Adolis. These are the hits we’re going to want.”

Garcia hit his bases-loaded double with two outs within the eighth for the Rangers, who have been 2-9 earlier than their current surge. They received for less than the second time of their seven dwelling video games this season.

Yordan Alvarez hit his fourth homer for the Astros, who’ve misplaced 5 of six. Kyle Tucker drove in a run with a two-out single within the sixth on which he initially slammed his bat to the bottom in disgust considering he had popped out to shallow left.

Houston starter Framber Valdez allowed solely an unearned run over six innings, hanging out 5, strolling two and hitting a batter. The lefty departed after throwing 60 of his 97 pitches for strikes.

“He did pitch good. He obtained out of some powerful jams, made some pitches when he needed to,” Astros supervisor Dusty Baker stated. “He obtained up near 100 pitches, what we hoped for, and he hoped for too.”

Valdez appeared OK after Nathaniel Lowe’s bat shattered within the fourth and helicoptered into the pitcher’s higher again. That occurred when Lowe, who had two hits to lift his batting common to .381, grounded into an inning-ending double play.

“We knew it hit him, however we didn’t know the place, however he stated it hit him within the muscle and he stated it did not damage. … he will be sore tomorrow,” stated Baker, who referred to as the play scary. “I’ve seen that stick in a few guys.”

SOLID HURLING

Texas pitchers have allowed two or fewer runs in 4 consecutive video games, the workforce’s longest such stretch since April 2017.

“It truly is an execution factor, however I believe to execute, there’s just a bit bit extra of a calmness to them,” Woodward stated of the pitchers. “They’re uber-competitive bunch, however I simply suppose that they’re on their toes, are on stable floor a bit of bit extra. … Not as a lot anxiousness.”

SHORT HOPS

The Rangers scored 4 runs within the prime of the primary inning of their season opener April 8 at Toronto. Of their 15 video games since, they’ve been scoreless of their first innings whereas hitting .167 (9 for 54). …. The retractable roof at Globe Life Area was open for the sixth time within the Rangers’ seven dwelling video games this season. The roof was open for less than 11 of the workforce’s 81 dwelling video games final season.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Astros: Alvarez fouled a pitch off his proper shin whereas batting within the third inning. He instantly jumped away from the plate in ache and dropped to each knees along with his head bowed towards the bottom. He finally obtained up and stayed within the recreation, then hit an inning-ending comebacker to Dunning.

Rangers: Woodward stated RHP Spencer Patton’s proper indirect difficulty is not considered severe despite the fact that the right-hander was placed on the 10-day injured record Sunday. Woodward stated earlier than Monday’s recreation that Patton had been pitching by means of some soreness.

UP NEXT

Jake Odorizzi (0-2, 9.00 ERA), who did not make it out of the primary inning in his final begin, is scheduled to take the mound for the Astros. Rangers lefty-hander Taylor Hearn (0-1, 7.59) is 2-0 in seven profession appearances towards Houston, the one workforce he has a number of victories towards.

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