ARLINGTON, Texas -- About two weeks ago, the Texas Rangers were on pace to lose 100 games for the first time since 1973.
A resurgence against some playoff contenders has pushed the Rangers away from the century mark and quite possibly the No. 1 overall pick in next summer’s first-year player draft.
The Rangers edged the Houston Astros 4-3 on Monday night for their ninth win in their past 10 games. Regardless of what happens to the Rangers in their final six games, losing 100 games won’t occur.
A successful 5-1 road trip brought some momentum back home and some hope that the Rangers can finish the season strong.
Guilder Rodriguez's first big-league RBI was the difference on a special night for him, as he got his first MLB hit and run scored while doing so in front of his father, who attended the game.
What happened: With the game tied at 3-3 in the seventh inning, the Astros intentionally walked Robinson Chirinos to pitch to Rodriguez. On a 1-0 fastball, Rodriguez singled over the glove of shortstop Jonathan Villar to drive in Jake Smolinski with the go-ahead run. The Rangers got the scoring started in the third, as Rougned Odor tripled home three runs with a shot to center. Left-handed starter Derek Holland couldn’t hold it up, however, as the Astros slowly chipped away. Chris Carter picked up his 88th RBI with a sac fly to right that tied the game in the sixth.
Rodriguez’s night: A career minor leaguer, Rodriguez, 31, made the second start of his big-league career and had two hits. Rodriguez reached out and lofted a single to left with one out in the third inning for his first hit in the major leagues. Rodriguez later scored on Odor’s three-run triple. Rodriguez also made a nifty catch of a popup in the top half of the inning. He failed to pick up a bouncer to third for an error in the sixth. But it was his single to left in the eight breaking a 3-3 game that was the clincher.
Bullpen works: Reliever Roman Mendez worked out of a jam in the eighth inning to preserve a 4-3 lead. Holland was relieved after 100 pitches when he gave up a leadoff single to Robbie Grossman. After Mendez retired Jose Altuve on a fly out to center he walked Carter. Dexter Fowler lined out to second, and Mendez struck out Jake Marisnick swinging on a fastball to end the inning. Mendez hasn’t allowed a run in his last four innings of work and has given up just two runs in his last 17 appearances.
Holland goes seven innings: The lefty has pitched well since returning from knee surgery, with an ERA of 0.99 after allowing just three earned runs in four starts. Holland pitched strong again on Monday night, and he danced out of trouble for the most of it. Holland blew a 3-0 lead, but he gave up three runs -- just two earned -- on seven hits in seven innings of work.
What’s next? On Tuesday night at 7:05 CT, it's RHP Nick Martinez (4-11) vs. LHP Brett Oberholtzer (5-12, 4.39) in Game 2 of the series.