Adolis García hit a home run and brought in four runs, while Texas pitcher Cody Bradford performed impressively, allowing only two singles until the eighth inning as the Rangers defeated the Houston Astros 10-2. This marked the first meeting between the two Texas teams since last year’s American League Championship Series.
The Rangers took a commanding 5-0 lead in the second inning after García’s three-run homer with two outs, marking his fourth home run in seven games this season, leading the American League. García further extended the lead to 7-0 in the fifth inning with a two-out single, just before Marcus Semien also hit a three-run homer.
Semien contributed with three hits and two walks, helping the Rangers to a total of 16 hits and six walks.
Houston struggled offensively, with Jose Altuve’s leadoff single in the first inning being their only hit until Jeremy Peña’s single in the eighth. Bradford, before being relieved in the eighth inning, retired 23 of 24 batters, with only one reaching base on an error.
Bradford received a warm ovation when he left the game, having grown up in the area and feeling emotional about pitching against the Astros. The victory was significant for the Rangers, especially after the Astros’ dominance in previous matchups.
García’s home run streak against the Astros continued from last year’s ALCS, where he homered in each of the last four games. However, tensions flared in that series, with García getting hit by a pitch and exchanging words with the Astros’ catcher.
Houston’s only runs in this game came from a home run by Jake Meyers after Yerry Rodriguez replaced Bradford on the mound.
Houston’s starting pitcher, Hunter Brown, struggled, allowing eight hits and four walks, resulting in five runs over three innings. Despite the loss, Astros’ manager Joe Espada acknowledged Brown’s effort but noted his difficulty in executing certain pitches.
