Christian Walker homer caps 6-run 7th for Astros in 6-3 win that ends Rangers' 6-game winning streak

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Christian Walker hit a three-run homer to cap a six-run seventh inning for the Houston Astros on Friday night in their 6-3 win over Texas that ended the Rangers' six-game winning streak.

Walker's 410-foot blast to left-center immediately followed Isaac Paredes' two-run single that put Houston ahead 3-2. Walker was mired in an 0-for-16 slump before a single in the first inning, and also had a walk.

Lance McCullers allowed two unearned runs over four innings in only his third start for Houston since the 2022 World Series. Shawn Dubin, Kaleb Ort (1-0), Bryan King, Bryan Abreu each then pitched a perfect inning before closer Josh Hader, in a non-save situation, allowed a solo homer to Josh Jung in the ninth.

Shawn Armstrong (1-1), the second of three Texas relievers, allowed the homer to Walker and didn't record an out against the four batters he faced.

Jonah Heim had a two-run single with two outs in the Rangers second. That came three batters after shortstop Jeremy Peña was charged with an error when he failed to catch a throw from McCullers, who was trying to get the lead runner at second base after fielding a comebacker.

The Astros had the bases loaded when Paredes grounded a ball through the right side of the infield to drive in two runs. Cam Smith had an RBI double before Armstrong took over and walked his first two batters.

Texas starter Nathan Eovaldi worked 5 2/3 scoreless innings in his 10th start, lowering his season ERA to 1.61. The right-hander struck out five, but also walked three while throwing 93 pitches.

RHP Tyler Mahle (4-1, 1.47 ERA) has allowed two runs of fewer in all nine of his starts, the Rangers' longest streak to open a season since the franchise moved to Texas in 1972. Astros RHP Ronel Blanco (3-3, 4.04) threw eight scoreless innings in his last start.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB

Houston Astros' Christian Walker hits a home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Friday, May 16, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Houston Astros' Cam Smith (11) reaches third base against a throw to Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung, left, during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Friday, May 16, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Friday, May 16, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Houston Astros' Christian Walker (8) celebrates after his home run with teammate Jose Altuve, right, during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Friday, May 16, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Houston Astros' Cam Smith hits a single that scored teammates Jake Meyers during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Friday, May 16, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Richard “Dick” Codey, a former acting governor of New Jersey and the longest serving legislator in the state's history, died Sunday. He was 79.

Codey’s wife, Mary Jo Codey, confirmed her husband’s death to The Associated Press.

“Gov. Richard J. Codey passed away peacefully this morning at home, surrounded by family, after a brief illness,” Codey's family wrote in a Facebook post on Codey's official page.

"Our family has lost a beloved husband, father and grandfather -- and New Jersey lost a remarkable public servant who touched the lives of all who knew him," the family said.

Known for his feisty, regular-guy persona, Codey was a staunch advocate of mental health awareness and care issues. The Democrat also championed legislation to ban smoking from indoor areas and sought more money for stem cell research.

Codey, the son of a northern New Jersey funeral home owner, entered the state Assembly in 1974 and served there until he was elected to the state Senate in 1982. He served as Senate president from 2002 to 2010.

Codey first served as acting governor for a brief time in 2002, after Christine Todd Whitman’s resignation to join President George W. Bush’s administration. He held the post again for 14 months after Gov. Jim McGreevey resigned in 2004.

At that time, New Jersey law mandated that the Senate president assume the governor’s role if a vacancy occurred, and that person would serve until the next election.

Codey routinely drew strong praise from residents in polls, and he gave serious consideration to seeking the Democratic nomination for governor in 2005. But he ultimately chose not to run when party leaders opted to back wealthy Wall Street executive Jon Corzine, who went on to win the office.

Codey would again become acting governor after Corzine was incapacitated in April 2007 due to serious injuries he suffered in a car accident. He held the post for nearly a month before Corzine resumed his duties.

After leaving the governor’s office, Codey returned to the Senate and also published a memoir that detailed his decades of public service, along with stories about his personal and family life.

“He lived his life with humility, compassion and a deep sense of responsibility to others,” his family wrote. “He made friends as easily with Presidents as he did with strangers in all-night diners.”

Codey and his wife often spoke candidly about her past struggles with postpartum depression, and that led to controversy in early 2005, when a talk radio host jokingly criticized Mary Jo and her mental health on the air.

Codey, who was at the radio station for something else, confronted the host and said he told him that he wished he could “take him outside.” But the host claimed Codey actually threatened to “take him out,” which Codey denied.

His wife told The Associated Press that Codey was willing to support her speaking out about postpartum depression, even if it cost him elected office.

“He was a really, really good guy,” Mary Jo Codey said. “He said, ‘If you want to do it, I don’t care if I get elected again.’”

Jack Brook contributed reporting from New Orleans.

FILE - New Jersey State Sen. and former Democratic Gov. Richard Codey is seen before New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy delivers his State of the State address to a joint session of the Legislature at the statehouse, in Trenton, N.J., Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)