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 Despite being mired in last place for much of the season, the
Rangers are finishing with a flourish. With a 5-1 victory Wednesday,
Texas completed a three-game sweep of the Houston Astros and earned
its 11th win in 12 games.
That span includes three perfect series for the Rangers, who have
found new life under interim manager Tom Bogar. Texas (65-93) is
still likely to finish last in the American League West, but the
team hardly resembles a cellar dweller this month.
Houston did win the season series with Texas 11-8.
"It's satisfying to win three games in a row against anybody," Bogar
said. "But we didn't play very well against them up to this point.
It's been nice to get out there and get some really good starting
pitching against them, and tonight we got the key hits when we
needed to."
Rookies ruled the day for Texas in the series finale against
Houston, as seven were in the starting lineup. Right-handed pitcher
Lisalverto Bonilla (3-0) became the first Rangers starter in
franchise history to win his first three starts, while two
first-year players -- first baseman Ryan Rua and second baseman
Rougned Odor -- hit home runs in a four-run seventh to put the game
away.
"I feel really good right now and we're winning," said Odor, who has
four homers and 20 RBIs in his last 26 games. "We're just trying to
finish the season strong."
Rua's three-run blast chased Houston reliever Jose Veras, who
couldn't keep the game close after a solid six-inning outing by
starter Scott Feldman. The Astros dropped to 69-90 going into their
final series of the year at the New York Mets.
Despite the struggles against Texas, the Astros have been much
improved under interim manager Tom Lawless. Lawless, 10-11 since
taking over for Bo Porter, is scheduled to interview Saturday with
general manager Jeff Luhnow in New York for the full-time managerial
position.
"I'm just going to be myself and just talk honestly about what
baseball means to me and the passion I have for baseball," Lawless
told MLB.com. "Jeff has a tough decision, and the organization is
going in the right direction. I think we can make this thing
better."
Bonilla went six shutout innings, striking out seven and walking
only two after issuing four free passes in each of his first two
starts.
"As the night went on, I thought he got sharper," Bogar said. "I
thought he commanded the strike zone with all three of his pitches
as the night went on."
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Houston got on the board on shortstop Jonathan Villar's solo shot
off Texas reliever Phil Klein in the eighth.
Scoring chances were hard to come by early before the Rangers broke
through in the fifth inning.
Texas center fielder Leonys Martin showed his speed with a drag-bunt
single down the third base line. He scored from first on shortstop
Elvis Andrus' double into the left field corner for a 1-0 lead.
Feldman (8-12) gave up one run on four hits and four walks with six
strikeouts. His season-ending ERA of 3.74 was the lowest of his
career.
"I obviously wish I could have won some more games," Feldman said.
"Hopefully next year we'll win more games as a team and I'll win
more as a pitcher."
NOTES: Texas GM Jon Daniels hopes to have a full-time manager in
place by the end of October. Current interim manager Tim Bogar is
considered the favorite to land the job. ... Houston 2B Jose Altuve
is in position to become the franchise's first batting champion. The
All-Star went 1-for-3 Wednesday. He is hitting .343. Detroit Tigers
DH Victor Martinez is second at .334. ... Texas won four consecutive
series for the second time this season. The other occurrence was in
April. ... Despite this week's sweep, the Astros won the Silver
Boot, which is presented annually to the winner of the Houston-Texas
season series. Houston won 11 of 19 meetings. The Astros last won
bragging rights in 2006.
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