Rangers Defeat Astros 3-2

The Texas Rangers defeated the Houston Astros 3-2 Wednesday night at Minute Maid Park in Houston. 

Starting pitcher Colby Lewis went 6 2/3 innings, striking out six for his seventh win of the season. Darren Oliver and Mark Lowe came in to keep the Astros from tying the game and Neftali Felize closed the game for his 16th save.

Ian Kinsler led off the game with a home run for the Rangers, and followed it with another in the 3rd inning.  The 2nd homer was notable because it came after Kinsler appeared to have been hit by a pitch.  Umpire Bob Davidson ruled the ball a strike, giving Kinsler another crack at the ball.  Kinsler belted the ball over the left-field fence to give the Rangers a 2-0 lead.

Andres Blanco, playing at shortstop for the injured Elvis Andrus, delivered a pair of hits and scored a run.  For the 2nd straight night, the pitcher contributed at the plate as Colby Lewis went 1-for-3.

The Rangers have taken 4 of 5 from the Astros this season and will conclude the series tonight in Houston.