Rangers 4, Astros 2
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Adrian Beltre's sixth-inning homer put the Rangers on top for good Tuesday, and Texas went on to take a 4-2 win over the Houston Astros.
The Rangers beat the Astros for the seventh consecutive time.
Texas improved to 13-2 against the Astros this season and increased its intradivision record to 40-16, the best mark of any team against its own division. Securing their 13th consecutive series against Houston, Texas (73-53) remained in first place in the American League West.
Houston (41-84) fell to 4-4 on its nine-game road trip.
The teams conclude their three-game series Wednesday, with Texas seeking its second consecutive sweep of Houston and third of the season. The Rangers swept the Astros in a four-game set earlier this month in Houston.
Jarred Cosart limited the Rangers to one run and three hits over his first five innings, but Texas' fourth hit erased Houston's 2-1 lead.
Beltre launched a two-run homer that sailed into the right field seats, his 26th of the season. The Rangers third basemen sent the ball to the wall in his first two appearances of the night before the home run.
Beltre finished with two hits, two runs and two RBIs, extending his streak to four consecutive games with an RBI.
Cosart (1-1) wound up allowing three runs on four hits and three walks in six innings. He struck out three.
Rangers starter Travis Blackley left after four innings of two-run ball, and Jason Frasor, Neal Cotts, Tanner Scheppers and Joe Nathan pitched scoreless ball the final five innings.
Cotts (5-2) got the win after retiring four of his five batters faced. Nathan struck out the side in a perfect ninth for his 27th save.
After 13 runs crossed the plate in the first three innings of Monday night's game, 11 by Texas, offense was at a premium in the early going Tuesday.
Houston's Matt Dominguez belted a two-run homer in the second, his 17th of the season, over the left-field wall.
Texas would respond though, beginning with Beltre's double to lead off the bottom of the second. Beltre advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored two batters later on Alex Rios' single.
A wild pitch in the eighth scored Elvis Andrus.
NOTES: Rangers RHP Alexi Ogando, who complained about shoulder soreness in his last start, was placed on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to Aug. 14. The move cleared a roster spot for Blackley, whose contract was purchased from Triple-A Round Rock. ... With his first appearance for Texas, Blackley became the first Australian born player to play for the club. ... Houston's Triple-A affiliate, the Oklahoma City RedHawks, extended their home winning streak to a franchise-record 16 games Monday.
