Texas Rangers 3, Houston Astros 2

by PegNews wire

Rangers steal the second game in Houston with excellent pitching.

HOUSTON — The Texas Rangers won the second game of the series in Houston Wednesday night, defeating the Astros 3-2. The win improved Texas to 40-39 on the season.

Photo not provided by the Texas Rangers

This sign on northbound I-45 pretty much sums it up

Rangers starter Scott Feldman lasted just four innings before getting yanked, giving up just two runs but throwing 99 pitches in those four innings. Feldman walked two and struck out two while giving up six hits.

Feldman was relieved by Luis Mendoza, who pitched three scoreless innings for the win. Mendoza gave up just two hits and walked none while striking out two. Eddie Guardado pitched a scoreless eighth for the hold, while C.J. Wilson survived the ninth for his 16th save.

After loading the bases in the bottom of the ninth, Wilson was able to get once-dangerous hitter Miguel Tejada to ground out to end the game.

Houston starter Roy Oswalt kept the Rangers off balance all night, with most of the Rangers offense coming from just a select few individuals. Rookie catcher Max Ramirez went 2-for-4 in the second game of his career, including the game-winning two-run home run in the top of the fourth. Frank Catalanatto and Ian Kinsler both went 2-for-4 with a run scored.

Texas was without their top two sluggers, Milton Bradley and Josh Hamilton, for the first time all season. Bradley has not started the last seven games, while Hamilton sat out due to a knee inflammation.

Posted by Todd M.