18-21 - Silver Boot showdown begins with 4-3 Rangers loss to Astros

The Texas Rangers scored three runs and the Houston Astros scored four runs.

LOBsters invaded Houston tonight as the Rangers and Astros traded men left on base for much of the evening in the first game of the season series between the two Texas teams.

Houston couldn’t get the big hit off of Rangers starter Mike Foltynewicz as they left 12 on base and went a ghastly 2-18 with runners in scoring position. Meanwhile, the Rangers had fewer opportunities but still did less as they left eight on base and went a dire 0-for-11 with a chance to plate a run with a base hit.

Folty was the definition of the phrase ‘wiggling out of danger’ all night as he gave up eight hits and three walks in his five innings of work. The former Astro only struck out three and allowed three Houston runs.

The bullpen for Texas was rock solid, as they have been for much of the last few weeks, until the game ended up in extras and baseball just puts a runner on base for no reason.

The Rangers survived the tenth thanks to Joey Gallo throwing out a runner at the plate but, in the end, the Astros finally put this game away ironically without the need for a hit as Brett Martin uncorked a wild pitch with the bases loaded in the eleventh.

Player of the Game: Willie Calhoun wants that boot.

Up Next: The Rangers and Astros will continue the Battle for the Boot tomorrow with lefty Wes Benjamin set to take the spot of Kohei Arihara in the rotation for Texas against RHP Zack Greinke for Houston. Friday’s first pitch from Minute Maid Park is scheduled for 7:10 pm CT.