Starting Lineups:

Houston Astros (25-32):

1) Jeremy Peña (R) SS

2) Yordan Álvarez (L) DH

3) Isaac Paredes (R) 1B

4) Taylor Trammell (L) CF

5) Cam Smith (R) RF

6) Braden Shewmake (L) 3B

7) Zach Dezenzo (R) LF

8) Brice Matthews (R) 2B

9) Christian Vázquez (R) C

Starting Pitcher: RHP Spencer Arrighetti (6-1, 1.32 ERA)

Texas Rangers (25-30):

1) Joc Pederson (L) DH

2) Alejandro Osuna (L) LF

3) Brandon Nimmo (L) RF

4) Josh Jung (R) 3B

5) Evan Carter (L) CF

6) Jake Burger (R) 1B

7) Ezequiel Durán (R) SS

8) Kyle Higashioka (R) C

9) Nicky Lopez (L) 2B

Starting Pitcher: RHP Nathan Eovaldi (5-5, 3.65 ERA)

Globe Life Field, Arlington, TX — In the final game of the series, the Houston Astros beat the Texas Rangers 5-1 thanks to a strong night at the plate.

The Astros got on the board early in the game thanks to two homers.

Jeremy Pena opened the scoring in the top of the first inning with a lead-off homer to left field off of Rangers’ starter Nate Eovaldi, to put the Astros up 1-0. Yordan Alvarez worked a walk to keep the inning moving with no one out. One batter later, Issac Paredes would tack on to the lead with a two-run shot to left field to put the Astros up, 3-0.

The Rangers would cut into the Astros’ lead in the bottom of the second inning.

Josh Jung launched a homer to deep left field to make it 3-1, Astros. Jung continued his hot hitting at the plate with a deep fly, his sixth of the year.

The Astros would score twice in the top of the third with two away.

Paredes worked a two-out walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch, and one batter later, Taylor Trammell hit an RBI double to put Houston ahead 4-1. Cam Smith would keep the line moving with an RBI single to put the Astros up 5-1.

Nathan Eovaldi – photo courtesy of the Washington Post

The Good: Astros’ starter Spencer Arighetti pitched a quality start, tossing six innings, while surrendering just one run, and striking out 3.

The Bad/The Ugly: Rangers’ starter Nathan Eovaldi struggled early on the mound tonight — surrendering five runs, three of which were from home runs, over the course of seven innings pitched.

-Matt Koper

Founder of Koper’s Korner