12-17 - Rangers put Astros in their place, win finale

The Rangers were up 4-0 before the Astros even got the chance to bat and led 5-1 after the top of the second. So, if you've watched any of the previous games in this series, it should come as no surprise that the game was suddenly 6-3 -- long after starters Joe Musgrove and A.J. Griffin had vacated -- in the bottom of the seventh with Marwin Gonzalez at the plate with the bases loaded.

Gonzalez, who homered earlier in the game for his fourth in this series, eventually drove in a run on a sac fly via a diving catch in center field by Carlos Gomez to make it 6-4.

With Marwin unable to hit the back-breaking grand slam this time, and out of the way, the Rangers got out of the late-inning jam(s) despite the bullpen -- in this case, Dario Alvarez (1), Jeremy Jeffress (3), Keone Kela (3) Matt Bush (2) -- walking nine Astros in their four innings of work.

Unlike the other games in this series, the Rangers didn't stop scoring runs when they got a lead as Texas plated three in the very next half inning to take a 9-4 and Elvis Andrus padded the score with a solo dong in the ninth to make it 10-4, a lead Texas would not relinquish.

Every member of the Rangers lineup had at least one hit except for Robinson Chirinos and he reached twice via base on balls. Texas also scored once on a Musgrove balk so, I mean, this game was one of those games where weird things happen is what I'm getting at.

Time for the Rangers to go 14-1 the rest of the way against the Astros. No big whoop.

Player of the Game: Man, I was just happy to see Matt Bush again. Remember Matt Bush? He pitched the ninth inning in his first action since who can even remember. (He also loaded the bases, but, baby steps.)

Oh, also, Joey Gallo hit a home run to tie Marwin Gonzalez with nine dingers this year.

Up Next: The Rangers travel 2,314.3 miles from Houston to Seattle to begin a series against the Mariners at Safeco beginning tomorrow night. At least we'll get to see Yu Darvish pitch! Darvish will start opposite former Rangers' Opening Day starter RHP Yovani Gallardo. First pitch is scheduled for 9:10 pm CT.