Semien homers, Lowe’s RBI single in 10th lifts Rangers over Astros 2-1

AP Sports Writer

HOUSTON (AP) — Marcus Semien hit a leadoff homer and Nathaniel Lowe’s RBI single with two outs in the 10th inning lifted the Texas Rangers to a 2-1 victory over the Houston Astros on Saturday.

The Rangers ended a two-game skid and snapped Houston’s 10-game home winning streak.

A groundout by Adolis García moved automatic runner Josh Smith to third base with two outs in the 10th. Lowe then lined a single off Tayler Scott (6-3) to left field to send Smith home and put the Rangers on top.

The Rangers loaded the bases in both the seventh and eighth innings, but came away empty both times on a day they went 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position.

“It’s just one of those things where we didn’t really execute today until we executed at the end,” Lowe said.

The Rangers intentionally walked Yordan Alvarez with two outs in the bottom of the 10th before Kirby Yates struck out Yainer Diaz to end it for his 15th save.

“Intense game, no getting around it,” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said. “Both sides had to make a lot of pitches with the game on the line and they did it.”

Joey Loperfido singled with two outs in the ninth but David Robertson (3-3) retired Mauricio Dubón on a groundout to end the inning. The Astros challenged the call, but it was upheld to send it to the 10th.

That enraged Dubón, who was ejected and had to be pulled away from home plate umpire Nestor Ceja.

“I was safe,” said Dubón, who was ejected for the first time in his career.

Houston manager Joe Espada was proud of the grit his team showed Saturday.

“We kept fighting until the end,” he said. “We just couldn’t get the big hit.”

Semien sent Spencer Arrighetti’s first pitch to left-center field for his fifth leadoff homer this season.

Alex Bregman and Alvarez hit consecutive singles with one out in the bottom of the inning before a single by Diaz scored Bregman to tie it at 1-1. Jon Singleton singled to load the bases before Jeremy Peña reached on catcher’s interference to apparently send another run home.

But the Rangers challenged the call, and it was overturned and Peña was called out on a foul tip.

Corey Seager singled with one out in the sixth before Arrighetti hit Smith with a pitch. There were two outs in the inning when García walked to load the bases. Lowe then hit a grounder to Singleton at first base and he tossed it to Arrighetti, who was covering first.

Lowe was initially called safe and two runs scored on the play. Houston challenged the call and it was overturned to end the inning and leave the game tied.

Arrighetti permitted just one hit after the home run to Semien and walked three with seven strikeouts in six innings.

Nathan Eovaldi allowed a run on eight singles with seven strikeouts and no walks in seven innings.

“Nate, I mean, that first inning he had bases loaded, one out,” Bochy said. “He just continues to amaze me. He’s got so much poise out there and has that ability… to turn it up when he has to and what a great job he did.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Rangers: 3B Josh Jung (fractured right wrist) took swings in the cage Saturday and Bochy said he’s likely to begin a rehabilitation assignment soon after the All-Star break. … RHP Dane Dunning (right shoulder tightness) will make a rehabilitation start for Double-A Frisco on Sunday where he is expected to throw about 35 pitches. Dunning threw live batting practice Wednesday.

Astros: Espada said RHP Justin Verlander (neck stiffness) is scheduled to throw a light bullpen session Sunday. The 41-year-old Verlander, who has been out since June 9, is expected to throw 10-15 pitches.

UP NEXT

Texas RHP Max Scherzer (1-2, 3.09 ERA) opposes RHP Ronel Blanco (9-3, 2.53) in the series finale Sunday.

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