ARLINGTON, Texas — Relievers Sam Freeman and Shawn Tolleson pitched out of trouble and the Texas Rangers held off the Houston Astros 4-3 on Tuesday night.
Freeman relieved Yovani Gallardo (8-9) in the sixth inning, and allowed a single and a walk to load the bases with one out. Freeman then retired Luis Valbuena and Marwin Gonzalez.
Tolleson earned his 20th save, all since May 20, despite giving up a walk and Valbuena’s second single before recording an out. Jason Castro and Jose Altuve struck out for the final two outs.
Texas erased a 2-1 deficit with three runs in the fifth against Dan Straily (0-1).
Delino DeShields’ triple and singles by Rougned Odor and Josh Harrison drove in the runs.
Straily was recalled from Triple-A Fresno to replace scheduled starter Mike Fiers, who was not available because he pitched five relief innings on Monday. Straily pitched three scoreless innings until Prince Fielder led off the fourth with a home run.
Houston’s Carlos Gomez drove in two runs with a double and a homer.
In the second, Colby Rasmus walked with two outs, stole second and scored on Valbuena’s single.
The Astros added a run in the third. Altuve singled and scored on Gomez’s double.
Houston starter Dan Straily allowed only one hit and one walk in the first three innings, but Texas’ Prince Fielder led off the fourth with a home run off the facing of the upper deck in right field.
After Straily left with two outs in the fifth, Josh Hamilton singled against Tony Sipp for Texas’ final run.
Gallardo left the game in the sixth. Gomez led off with his first homer since being traded to the Astros on July 30, and Gallardo walked Carlos Correa. Freeman held the 4-3 lead to give the Rangers their sixth victory in seven games.
Via AP