Martín Maldonado homered and drove in three runs to back seven solid innings from Zack Greinke, and the Houston Astros defeated the Texas Rangers 10-4 on Friday night for their fourth straight victory.
Kyle Tucker and Myles Straw each had two hits and two RBIs for the Astros.
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Martín Maldonado homered and drove in three runs to back seven solid innings from Zack Greinke, and the Houston Astros defeated the Texas Rangers 10-4 on Friday night for their fourth straight victory.
Tucker hit an RBI single in a three-run second and another in the third before scoring on a double play. Straw had an RBI single in the second and also walked to force home a run in the third.
Wes Benjamin (0-2) allowed three runs, three hits and three walks in 1 2/3 innings. He was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock to make the start.
TRAINER’S ROOM
NICE GRABS
RHP Dane Dunning (2-2, 3.78 ERA) will start Saturday for Texas opposite Astros RHP Luis Garcia (0-3, 3.60), who is still in search of his first career win.
Texas Rangers' Willie Calhoun, right, loses his helmet as he strikes out swinging in front of Houston Astros catcher Martin Maldonado, left, during the fifth inning of a baseball game Friday, May 14, 2021, in Houston. (AP PhotoMichael Wyke)
Houston Astros' Kyle Tucker watches his RBI single in front of Texas Rangers catcher Jose Trevino during the second inning of a baseball game Friday, May 14, 2021, in Houston. (AP PhotoMichael Wyke)
Houston Astros' Myles Straw (3) and Yuli Gurriel (10) celebrate after Gurriel scored on a single by Kyle Tucker during the second inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers on Friday, May 14, 2021, in Houston. (AP PhotoMichael Wyke)
Maldonado, who finished with two hits as well, launched a two-run homer to left field in the fifth to increase Houston’s lead to 10-2. He also drew a bases-loaded walk as part of a four-run third.
Houston Astros' Martin Maldonado (15) reacts as he crosses home plate in front of umpire Alan Porter, right, after his two-run home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Friday, May 14, 2021, in Houston. (AP PhotoMichael Wyke)
Tucker hit an RBI single in a three-run second and another in the third before scoring on a double play. Straw had an RBI single in the second and also walked to force home a run in the third.
Michael Brantley hit a sacrifice fly in the second, and Carlos Correa scored on a single by Straw and an error by center fielder Adolis García before Maldonado’s homer in the fifth.
Greinke (3-1) gave up three runs and seven hits with five strikeouts. He has allowed at least three runs in each of his last four starts.
Houston Astros catcher Martin Maldonado, left, and closing pitcher Joe Smith congratulate each other after their win over the Texas Rangers after a baseball game Friday, May 14, 2021, in Houston. (AP PhotoMichael Wyke)
Wes Benjamin (0-2) allowed three runs, three hits and three walks in 1 2/3 innings. He was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock to make the start.
Texas pitchers issued eight walks, including three to Correa.
Jose Trevino had two hits and two RBIs, Khris Davis hit a sacrifice fly in the fourth and García added a solo home run in the eighth for the Rangers, who lost their fourth in a row. Isiah Kiner-Falefa finished with three hits.
Texas Rangers' Adolis Garcia flips his bat as he watches his home run against the Houston Astros during the eighth inning of a baseball game Friday, May 14, 2021, in Houston. (AP PhotoMichael Wyke)
TRAINER’S ROOM
Rangers: OF Joey Gallo was out of the lineup as a precaution as he deals with some hamstring issues, manager Chris Woodward said. “He’s been battling a little bit of hammy tightness, stiffness,” Woodward said. “It’s more of a preventative thing. Obviously, I wouldn’t give him a day off one day after an off day. I just want to keep him healthy.”
Astros: 1B Yuli Gurriel returned to the lineup after missing Thursday’s game due to illness. He finished 1 for 3 and scored twice. … The MRI on RHP José Urquidy “didn’t show anything significant, just some inflammation,” manager Dusty Baker said. Urquidy left Wednesday’s start with posterior shoulder discomfort. … LHP Framber Valdez (broken left index finger) threw a bullpen at Minute Maid Park. Valdez said he was going to throw three innings for Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday in his first rehab start.
Texas Rangers' Adolis Garcia, left, stomps on home plate next to umpire Alan Porter, right, after his home against the Houston Astros during the eighth inning of a baseball game Friday, May 14, 2021, in Houston. (AP PhotoMichael Wyke)
NICE GRABS
Texas right fielder David Dahl robbed Chas McCormick of a two-run homer in the seventh, leaping to grab the hard-hit ball as he banged into the wall. Dahl ended the eighth with a sliding catch of a line drive by Correa.
UP NEXT
Texas Rangers right fielder David Dahl robs Houston Astros pinch hitter Chas McCormick of a home run in the bottom of the seventh inning of a baseball game Friday, May 14, 2021, in Houston. (Kevin M. CoxThe Galveston County Daily News via AP)
RHP Dane Dunning (2-2, 3.78 ERA) will start Saturday for Texas opposite Astros RHP Luis Garcia (0-3, 3.60), who is still in search of his first career win.
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Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (1) loses the ball between his legs before he attempts the tag on Texas Rangers' Isiah Kiner-Falefa (9) as he doubles during the seventh inning of a baseball game Friday, May 14, 2021, in Houston. (AP PhotoMichael Wyke)
Texas Rangers' Willie Calhoun, right, loses his helmet as he strikes out swinging in front of Houston Astros catcher Martin Maldonado, left, during the fifth inning of a baseball game Friday, May 14, 2021, in Houston. (AP PhotoMichael Wyke)
Houston Astros' Kyle Tucker watches his RBI single in front of Texas Rangers catcher Jose Trevino during the second inning of a baseball game Friday, May 14, 2021, in Houston. (AP PhotoMichael Wyke)
Houston Astros' Myles Straw (3) and Yuli Gurriel (10) celebrate after Gurriel scored on a single by Kyle Tucker during the second inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers on Friday, May 14, 2021, in Houston. (AP PhotoMichael Wyke)