Hamels Makes It 10 Straight Wins As Rangers Top Astros 2-1
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ARLINGTON (AP) - Cole Hamels extended his career-best winning streak to 10 games, Rougned Odor had a two-run homer and the Texas Rangers beat the Houston Astros 2-1 Wednesday night.
Hamels hit the first two batters of the game, gave up three straight singles to start the second and surrendered a leadoff hit in the third. But the Astros couldn't score, helping Hamels (3-0) by making an out on the bases in each inning.
The ace left-hander allowed rookie Tyler White's fifth home run in the sixth but combined with reliever Sam Dyson to strand the tying run at third with one out in the seventh.
Jake Diekman got called third strikes on Colby Rasmus and Evan Gattis with the tying run at second in the eighth, and closer Shawn Tolleson pitched the ninth for his fifth save.
Doug Fister (1-2) allowed Odor's second homer in the second inning as the Astros lost their ninth straight at the Rangers.
Texas won its 14th straight with Hamels starting, its longest such streak since winning 14 straight with Bobby Witt in 1990. Hamels hasn't lost in the regular season since his second start for the Rangers after the trading deadline deal with Philadelphia last July.
Hamels hit three batters, walked three more and gave up five hits with seven strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings. But the Astros helped him survive and join Yu Darvish with the second-longest home winning streak for a new Texas pitcher.
White took a called third strike on a double steal in the first, and catcher Bryan Holaday threw behind the lead runner to get George Springer easily at second.
With one out and the bases loaded in the second, Marwin Gonzalez flew out to right fielder Nomar Mazara, who threw home without a hop, forcing Rasmus to backtrack to third. Carlos Gomez was caught too far off first base, and Rasmus eventually was tagged out in a rundown.
Jose Altuve started the third with a sharp single down the line in left but was thrown out trying to go to second on the first career outfield assist for converted shortstop Ian Desmond, who got help on a diving tag by Odor.
Houston was 1 of 12 with runners in scoring position and is 3 for 24 in the first two games, both losses in the first series between the Texas rivals and last year's AL West playoff teams.
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Astros: AL Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel (2-1, 2.18) has made 14 career starts against Texas, most of any opponent for the lefty. His four wins against the Rangers are tied for the most by a Houston pitcher with Collin McHugh, Roy Oswalt and Wandy Rodriguez.
Rangers: RHP A.J. Griffin (1-0, 3.27) goes on seven days' rest in his first start for Texas at Globe Life Park and third overall. He allowed just two runs in 11 1/3 innings in two starts for Oakland at the home of the Rangers, but didn't get a decision in either one.
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