Martin Perez (4-4, 3.24 ERA) and Collin McHugh (5-4, 4.97 ERA) are on the hill in the last of a four-game series between the Texas Rangers (36-23) and the Houston Astros (29-32) at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Astros won the last game 3-1, and Texas leads the series 2-1. Action begins at 2:05 p.m. ET on Thursday, Jun. 9 and can be seen on RTSW and FSSW.
Perez pitched 6.0 innings in his most recent start, surrendering three runs, striking out one and walking one in a 10-4 win over the Mariners. Nomar Mazara (.321, 27 Rs, 10 HRs, 27 RBIs) had another good game yesterday, going 2 for 4. McHugh went 5.1 innings, surrendering four runs, striking out five and walking three in a 6-5 win over the Athletics in his last outing. Jose Altuve (.336, 45 Rs, 10 HRs, 36 RBIs, 18 SBs) has been successful at the plate for the Astros, going 2 for 3 yesterday with two RBIs.
Notes
Houston has won 42% (10-14) of its games when leading after seven innings. However, Texas has won 63% (17-10) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Astros are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Rangers have a 14-7 record when opponents give up one walk or less.
When they outhit their opponents, the Astros are 19-4. The Rangers have a 23-3 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 15th, Houston sits in the top half of the league in runs, scoring 262 this season. Texas ranks in the top 10 at seventh with 281.
Texas and Houston both rank in the top half of the league for their on-base plus slugging percentage. Texas sits at 12th with an OPS of .744, and Houston ranks 15th with an OPS of .727.
The Astros are 19-23 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Rangers are 23-21 when they allow at least one homer.
