Before Monday’s series finale against the Astros, Rangers manager Bruce Bochy was asked what a split of the four-game series would mean for his team.
Prior to this series, the Astros had won eight consecutive games at Globe Life Field, including all three in Arlington during the American League Championship Series.
“Well, you’re asking me right now, so I wouldn’t feel good,” Bochy said. “I don’t feel well and am about to vomit. …” But, obviously, when you’re at home, you’re constantly striving to outperform your opponent.”
Obviously, Bochy did not puke, but he may have wanted to after the Rangers lost 10-5 to the Astros in the series finale at Globe Life Field.
This is the first time Texas has lost consecutive games this season, as the team settled for a split after winning the first two games of the series. After the Rangers outscored the Astros 17-4 on Friday and Saturday, Houston outscored Texas 13-6 over the last two days.
The Rangers led 5-2 entering the second inning, thanks to an offensive ambush of Astros rookie Blair Henley, but Texas starter Andrew Heaney struggled to keep the lead, giving up a two-run homer to Yordan Alvarez in the second and two more runs in the fourth.
In addition to Heaney’s struggles (6 ER, 3 2/3 innings), Texas’ high-powered offense was held scoreless over the final eight frames as Houston’s bullpen secured the victory.
“It makes it just more frustrating that I know that I just gotta keep it close,” Heaney said of his short outing. “I just never really got into a rhythm, never really got into a good flow. I think that kind of screws up the rest of the team when you’re not giving guys the opportunity to kind of get into their rhythm.
“As good as they are [the Rangers offense], I’ve got to do my job and give them a better chance to get into the flow of things.”
Though Heaney left with a one-run lead, things gradually unraveled from there. Brock Burke relieved him and faced the heart of the Astros order, allowing an RBI double to Alvarez, a two-run single to Kyle Tucker, and another double to Alex Bregman.
Houston’s Victor Caratini launched a three-run homer off Rangers second-year reliever Grant Anderson, delivering the game’s fatal blow.
“Burke had Alvarez 0-2 and it looked like a slider just backed up to where he could get to it,” Bochy said of the incident. “Anderson comes in and gets a big out and he wasn’t hit hard until the home run, he just made a mistake there.”
The Rangers’ pitching staff had a difficult few days, with Josh Sborz being placed on the IL. However, José Ureña stood out.
Despite the Rangers’ 10-5 loss, Ureña pitched four scoreless innings, allowing only one baserunner (Alex Bregman single in the ninth) and striking out four.
He became the Rangers’ first relief pitcher to pitch four or more scoreless innings while allowing one or fewer baserunners since Derek Lowe on April 20, 2013, against Seattle.
