Kyle Tucker and the guys come alive to top Rangers 7-3

The Astros keep dominating the Rangers at Minute Maid Park in 2021. On Friday night, they got their seventh win of the season against them, this time on a 7-3 score thanks in part to a Kyle Tucker three-run shot in the bottom third. Now, they’re 7-0 vs Texas at home in ’21.

Starter Jake Odorizzi and counterpart Kolby Allard began hanging zeroes on the board in the first two innings, but the Astros rallied to score five times in the third. Yordan Álvarez singled home a run, Carlos Correa brought the Astros’ second run with an infield grounder, and then Tucker came to the plate with the hit of the game for Houston: his 18th bomb of the regular campaign and his third in as many games.

Tucker keeps smashing his rivals at Minute Maid Park. In 45 games at home in 2021, the young outfielder has registered 15 doubles, 12 of his 18 four-baggers, and 37 runs batted in. He’s hitting for a .333 average (9-for-27) in seven contests after the All-Star break.

The other two runs of the game for the Astros came via Michael Brantley —reaching on a fielder’s choice— and Yuli Gurriel — who hit a sacrifice fly for his 59th ribbie of the year.

Going to the pitching side, Odorizzi was cruising through the first four innings of the game, but couldn’t make it past the fifth frame. The Rangers ambushed him with three runs in the top fifth and he lasted only 4 2/3 episodes, with four hits, three runs, two walks, and six strikeouts. The veteran righty has surrendered 10 hits and seven earned runs in his last two starts (8 IP).

After Odorizzi, it was pure dominance from the Astros’ bullpen. Dusty Baker went with Brandon Bielak —who got his third win of the season—, Blake Taylor, and Cristian Javier. Those three combined for 4 1/3 scoreless innings of two hits, one base on balls, and five punchouts, including one to Andy Ibáñez to record the final out of the game.

The Astros will come back to action this Saturday (7:10 pm ET) for the second game of the series against the Rangers. Framber Valdez will try to turn things around in July and will face righty Kyle Gibson.

VIDEOS AND BOX SCORE HERE.