Houston is now 25-25 on the year
Kyle Tucker provides the big hit as Astros get series win over Rangers
Sep 17, 2020, 8:45 pm
Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images
Astros Michael Brantley and Kyle Tucker
After dropping the middle game to the Rangers to split the first two games, the Astros looked for an improved offensive showing in the finale on Thursday night to take the series. Here is a rundown of the rubber game:
Final Score: Astros 2, Rangers 1.
Record: 25-25, second in the AL West.
Winning pitcher: Framber Valdez (4-3, 3.82 ERA).
Losing pitcher: Jordan Lyles (1-5, 7.07 ERA).
Valdez another Houston pitcher to thrive against Rangers
Much like Jose Urquidy on Tuesday and Lance McCullers JR. on Wednesday, Framber Valdez put up an excellent pitching line on Thursday against the Rangers. After allowing two singles in the first and a single in the second, he would settle in and hold the Rangers to just one baserunner, which came via a walk through six frames.
He would try to get through the seventh, but after a long at-bat and one-out double, Dusty Baker would stop his night and go to the bullpen. Unfortunately, that double would end up scoring as Josh James would allow an RBI-single, charged to Valdez, before finishing the inning. Along the way, Valdez was able to ring up eleven Rangers. His final line: 6.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 11 K, 0 HR, 100 P.
Kyle Tucker gets the big hit of the night
Luckily, Houston was still in the lead after the Rangers' run, thanks to a big hit by Kyle Tucker back in the second inning. After Alex Bregman reached base on a walk to become the first runner for the Astros, Kyle Tucker would break out of his recent slump with a two-run home run, putting Houston ahead 2-0 at the time.
1 swing, 2 runs. #ForTheH pic.twitter.com/Brd8uDfGXd
— Houston Astros (@astros) September 17, 2020
Jordan Lyles was otherwise handling the Astros just like Kyle Gibson the night prior, who threw a complete-game shutout. Other than the Tucker homer, Lyles allowed another hit in the second and one in the third before retiring the next 12 Astros in order before an error in the seventh broke that streak, giving Houston their first baserunner since two outs in the third.
Houston takes the series and moves back up to .500
Josh James returned to the mound to start the eighth, and he would get a 1-2-3 inning against the top of Texas' lineup, including back-to-back strikeouts to end it. After another scoreless inning by Houston at the plate, that would set up a save opportunity in the top of the ninth. The opportunity would go to Brooks Raley, and he would notch the save with a scoreless inning, giving Houston the series and moving them back up to .500 at 25-25.
Up Next: The Astros' final three regular-season games played at Minute Maid Park in 2020 are this weekend in a series against the Diamondbacks. In Friday's 7:10 PM opener, Zack Greinke (3-2, 3.77 ERA) will be on the mound for Houston while Zac Gallen (1-2, 3.15 ERA) will be the starter for Arizona.
The Astros just hit a major bump they didn’t see coming
Jul 1, 2025, 8:54 pm
In today’s episode of First Take, Brian Windhorst, Tim Bontemps, and David Dennis Jr. break down what’s shaping up to be one of the most aggressive offseasons in the NBA, and it’s happening in Houston.
The Rockets are sending a clear message: they’re not here to wait around. With bold moves already on the board and the possibility of more to come, this front office is going all-in. But it’s not just about what they’ve done, it’s what it means.
According to Bontemps, even if the Rockets don’t make another single move, they’re already in the championship conversation.
From roster upgrades to long-term vision, the Rockets’ approach has the league watching closely. This episode unpacks the implications and why Houston’s time might be now.
Don't miss the video below to watch the full conversation!
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