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The Rangers drew ten walks, were hit by five pitches — the most in any one game in franchise history — and even reached on a Jose Altuve error that plated a run.
Texas had at least one batter reach in every inning, had a runner in scoring position in every inning, and even had the leadoff hitter reach in six of the nine innings.
If you couple those facts with the knowledge that Mike Minor spun a quality start, and that Texas played sparkling defense, you’d probably assume the Rangers won.
They didn’t.
As noted by the FOX national broadcast, the Rangers are having the third worst season in decades among all teams hitting with runners in scoring position and two out.
That fact was prescient as Texas went 1-17 with RISP and left 17 on base to almost impossibly score only three runs in the 4-3 loss.
Player of the Game: Minor allowed two, two-out runs in the first inning but then settled in to allow just one more run over the next five to give Texas a quality start where he walked just one and struck out four.
Up Next: The Rangers and Astros close out this series with Texas still looking for a win. It’ll be a battle of lefties in the finale with Matt Moore set to face Dallas Keuchel with an early afternoon 2:05 pm CT first pitch.