Rangers at Astros
The Houston Astros relied on solo homers in the series opener and look to record their second straight victory when they host the Texas Rangers on Saturday. Houston belted four blasts, including three straight in the third inning, en route to a 4-3 triumph in the first contest of the three-game set.
Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman and Yordan Alvarez hit consecutive homers in the third frame while Yuli Gurriel went deep in the second as Houston improved to 9-6 against the Rangers this season. Altuve finished with two hits for his fifth multi-hit effort in seven contests to help the Astros remain 5 1/2 games ahead of Oakland in the American League West. Texas has been outscored 51-19 during a five-game slide that has seen it fall 5 1/2 games off the pace for the second AL wild card. Rougned Odor and Asdrubal Cabrera hit solo shots for the Rangers, who were hitless in 11 at-bats with runners in scoring position.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Texas), AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Ariel Jurado (5-5, 4.63 ERA) vs. Astros RH Jose Urquidy (0-0, 10.50)
Jurado lost to the Astros on Sunday, when he gave up five runs, seven hits and four walks in four innings of a 12-4 defeat. The 23-year-old has dropped his last two decisions after winning four of his previous five. Jurado is 0-1 with a 5.87 ERA in three appearances (one start) against Houston this season after prevailing in his lone turn last year.
Urquidy is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Round Rock to make his third career start. The 24-year-old Mexican made his major-league debut earlier this month, allowing seven runs and 14 hits over six innings in two starts without recording a decision. Urquidy has gone 5-4 with a 4.08 ERA in 14 starts and two relief appearances in the minors this season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Alvarez, a rookie, has hit 10 home runs in just 107 at-bats.
2. Texas OFs Joey Gallo (0-for-5, four strikeouts) and Nomar Mazara (0-for-4, three) and SS Elvis Andrus (0-for-5, two) were hitless in eight at-bats with runners on base.
3. Houston designated 1B Tyler White for assignment after Friday's game to open a roster spot for Urquidy.