Houston locks up the series
Astros back up another solid Valdez start to secure series win over Rangers
Aug 28, 2021, 8:58 pm
Houston locks up the series
Framber Valdez went seven innings of two-run baseball on Saturday night against the Rangers.
With the comeback win in the opener of this series to grab their third-straight win and sixth in their last eight, the Astros entered Saturday's game looking to lock up the series and hopefully continue to distance themselves atop the division. Thanks to a more steady dose of offense, they would get the victory.
Final Score: Astros 5, Rangers 2
Astros' Record: 77-52, first in the AL West
Winning Pitcher: Framber Valdez (9-4)
Losing Pitcher: Kolby Allard (3-11)
Houston, who had all of their runs come in one inning the night prior, spread their offense around throughout Saturday's middle game. They put up three runs in the top of the second, getting a leadoff solo homer by Yordan Alvarez to start the scoring, then later in the frame, a two-RBI single by Martin Maldonado to go in front 3-0.
Carlos Correa hits a MISSILE to the 2nd deck 🚀
(via @astros)pic.twitter.com/uypoIghwo0
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) August 28, 2021
Carlos Correa provided another run in the top of the third, crushing a one-out solo shot 436 feet to extend the lead to 4-0. After the Rangers scored to get on the board in the bottom of the fourth, Houston got that run back in the top of the sixth, getting a leadoff ground-rule double by Kyle Tucker, who would later score on an RBI single by Jose Altuve, making it 5-1.
The run support was welcomed by Framber Valdez, who gave his team another impressive start on the mound. He allowed just one baserunner over the first three innings, a one-out single in the bottom of the third, which he erased to keep Texas scoreless to that point. He dealt with some trouble in the bottom of the fourth, loading the bases with one out on a single, hit batter, and walk.
Texas would get an RBI groundout, but Valdez did well to limit the damage to one run in that inning. After rebounding with a 1-2-3 fifth, a one-out solo homer by Adolis Garcia in the bottom of the sixth cut the lead to 5-2. Valdez went on to retire the next five batters in a row, getting through seven two-run innings of work. His final line: 7.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, 1 HR, 85 P.
Kendall Graveman took over for Valdez in the bottom of the eighth, and despite some erratic control that resulted in two reaching base, he would get out of the inning while maintaining the three-run lead. That set up Ryan Pressly who took over in the bottom of the ninth, still ahead by three runs. Despite allowing a one-out double, he would close out the win to secure the series victory for Houston.
Up Next: The finale of this three-game series will start at 1:35 PM Central on Sunday from Arlington. Zack Greinke (11-4, 3.41 ERA) will look to get his 12th win of the season, while the Rangers are expected to give the ball to Taylor Hearn (3-4, 4.08 ERA).
The Houston Texans have a big challenge in store as they look to start the season with a win against the Colts this Sunday. When these two teams met in Week 2 last year, the Colts dominated the Texans, despite losing their QB Anthony Richardson to a concussion after the first quarter.
Keeping Richardson contained on Sunday will go a long way in increasing the Texans' chances of coming home with a win. The Texans defense will have their hands full containing the Colts backs and tight ends in the passing game.
Scoring touchdowns with their wide receivers could prove difficult, as the Texans allowed the second-fewest TDs (10) to the receiver position in 2023.
Limiting running back Jonathan Taylor will also be a top priority. While the Texans had an elite defense against the run last season, they struggled with Taylor in Week 18 as he almost rushed for 200 yards.
Houston's D allowed only four carries to running backs in 2023 that went for 20 or more yards. Two of which were to Taylor in the final game of the regular season.
Finally, DeMeco Ryans and company have to find a way to get pressure on the QB. They only had one QB hit and zero sacks on Richardson and Garner Minshew the first time they faced off last year.
On offense, the Texans have two big x-factors to watch for on Sunday. The offensive line that suited up to play the Colts in Week 2 last season is completely different from this year.
The o-line was ravaged with injuries to start the 2023 campaign, so we expect a big jump in productivity in the trenches this year.
Another big addition in 2024 is the presence of running back Joe Mixon. The running game only produced 2 yards per rush in Week 2 against Indy last year, so there's clearly room for improvement.
Be sure to watch the video above for our in-depth preview of Texans-Colts!
And catch Texans on Tap (a Texans podcast) live on our SportsMapTexans YouTube channel following every game this season!