ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Kyle Tucker hit a three-run double in the fifth inning and Cristian Javier won his first start of the season as the Houston Astros beat the Texas Rangers 4-3 on Wednesday night.
Javier (1-0) allowed two runs in five innings, giving up four hits and two walks while striking out four. He was promoted to the role of sixth starter thanks to 8 1/3 shutout innings in three relief appearances.
Tucker, a late addition to the starting lineup, scorched an 82 mph curveball to the gap in left-center with two outs off reliever Brett Martin (0-2). The ball rolled all the way to the wall to clear the bases. Martin allowed a single and a walk among the three previous batters in relief of starter Glenn Otto.
Ryne Stanek earned his first save since last August. He allowed a run in the ninth but left the potential tying run at third base after putting runners on second and third with none out.
The Astros have won two straight for the third time this season, equaling their longest winning streak. Their 9-9 record is one game better than through 18 games last year, when they were AL West champs for the fourth time in five seasons and went to the World Series.
The Rangers have lost two in a row after winning four of their previous five games.
Chas McCormick hit the game’s first pitch from Otto 381 feet just beyond the right-field fence for an opposite-field home run, his first of the season. That snapped an 0-for-11 streak for McCormick.
Mitch Garver hit his second homer of the season, his first since opening day, in the second inning to tie the score at 1. The shot carried just beyond the 372-foot sign in left field.
Brad Miller singled home Adolis Garcia later in the inning to give the Rangers a 2-1 lead. Garcia scored from second base after a successful Texas challenge reversed a caught stealing call at second. The inning ended when left fielder Yordan Alvarez threw out Jonah Heim at the plate.
Tucker has seven RBIs in the first three games of a four-game series.
Javier began last season in the rotation but was sent to the bullpen after his ninth start on May 23.
Otto made his second start of the season after being recalled from Triple-A Round Rock.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Astros: RHP Ryan Pressly (right knee inflammation), placed on the 10-day injured list April 16, might not throw another simulated game.
UP NEXT
Astros: RHP Justin Verlander (1-1, 1.89 ERA) has allowed only 10 hits and four walks against 20 strikeouts in 19 innings as he returns from Tommy John surgery that sidelined him in 2021.
Rangers: LHP Martin Perez (0-2, 3.86) threw a season-high six innings and 86 pitches Saturday at Oakland in the only one of his three starts Texas has won this season.
___
More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
