Astros 8, Rangers 4: Houston avoids sweep with the long ball

One game won't make a dent in the Rangers gigantic season series lead over the Astros and the AL West standings. But even major league baseball players have pride.

After the Rangers scored in the opening frame it felt like the same old story all over again. But George Springer answered right back en route to an 8-4 in on Wednesday night at Minute Maid Park.

The win didn't come without a price as both Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman exited the game. Bregman left with hamstring discomfort and Altuve left with oblique discomfort.

Teoscar Hernandez put the Astros in the driver seat in the second inning with a two-run blast off Derek Holland — whom the Astros collected five earned runs on seven hits.

Yulieski Gurriel and Evan Gattis singled home two runs in the fifth and the Rangers brought the score within one with a Nomar Mazara home run and Jonathan Lucroy RBI single. The Rangers trailed 5-4 entering the bottom of the eighth.

But the Astros pulled away before a Rangers comeback. Tyler White moved to third on a Gurriel double, and the bases were loaded by an intentional walk to Evan Gattis.

Marwin Gonzalez made the Rangers pay for the walk with a two-RBI single. Jake Marisnick followed a RBI single of his own two batters later.