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8-6 - Rangers golden in first salvo of Silver Boot Series

In their first game against Houston this season, the Rangers came away with a 7-5 win

By ghostofErikThompson
They sure don't like Odor in Houston
They sure don't like Odor in Houston
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

In the first inning for the Texas Rangers against the Astros in 2016, Texas scored three runs which were highlighted by a Prince Fielder two-run home run off starter Scott Feldman. In a game where the Feldman and Rangers' starter Derek Holland threw a combined 100 pitches before the end of the 3rd, it was a long night of waiting for the Rangers to put one in the win column but a worthy one to kick off the Silver Boot Series.

As has sort of been the case for many of the Rangers eight wins this season, there was no one player driving the team to victory as Texas spread its 12 hits nicely throughout the lineup. Only Nomar Mazara was unable to collect a hit but he reached three times via a pair of walks and a Carlos Correa error.

Perhaps the best news of the game was Ian Desmond was able to collect two hits and two RBIs while hitting a double for his first XBH of 2016 and had another loud out to the warning track. Desmond also made a diving catch in the 8th to help the Texas bullpen.

Derek Holland labored through five innings of work but was much stronger in his final few innings as he picked up the win. The bullpen continues to be dong-prone as Keone Kela allowed two solo home runs in the 7th after allowing just four total last season. Shawn Tolleson came in and allowed a run in the 9th after leading off the inning by allowing a walk but he picked up his fourth save of the season with a strikeout of Correa to end the game.

All in all, though, it was a pretty solid effort for the entire team against the Astros and the Rangers are now two games above .500 for the first time this season.

Player of the Game: It was probably Desmond's best game as a Texas Ranger but I'd say Adrian Beltre was the PotG if only for playing the judge, jury, and executioner of Kangaroo Court after Elvis went into his trot on a long fly ball off the wall in left that ended as a double.

Up Next: The Rangers and Astros reconvene for the second game of this series with Cole Hamels making the start for Texas against RHP Doug Fister for Houston. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm CT.