(SportsRadio 610) - In what Astros manager Dusty Baker called the win of the year so far, Houston beat the Texas Rangers 10-9 on Monday night to take the first of a three-game series between the top teams in the AL West.
Yainer Díaz hit a tiebreaking RBI single in the ninth inning. Chas McCormick homered and recorded a career-high six RBI to lead the Astros.
With the win, Houston moves within two games of the Rangers for the AL West lead, with another two games to go.
The ninth inning started with Kyle Tucker being walked by rookie Alex Speas, then later McCormick with one out. That's when Díaz lined a single to right field, allowing Tucker to slide into home plate just before the tag.
Umpires reviewed the play, which was upheld.
The Rangers blew a three-run lead in the seventh inning when Aroldis Chapman walked consecutive batters with one out. McCormick capitalized by sending a three-run shot to left-center field, tying the game.
McCormick, who was most recently named the AL Player of the Week, is slashing .412/.523/.882 for a 1.405 OPS with five home runs since the All-Star break.
McCormick said after the game that facing Chapman in Arlington last month really helped him when he faced him for the second time Monday night. He also said he paid close to attention to how Chapman attacked José Abreu while he was on deck.
"Everything was a little more up in the beginning of (Abreu's) at bat, hard up," McCormick said. "And I remember my 1st at bat against him a month ago, 1st and 2nd pitch were up and I was a little late, so I was looking a little more up and obviously getting ready to swing down on the ball."
Houston starter Brandon Bielak gave up six hits and six runs in 4 2/3 innings. The Astros used five relievers to get through the rest of the game, with closer Ryan Pressly picking up the win. The Rangers used four relievers after starter Jon Gray labored through five innings of work, allowing six runs.
Rookie J.P. France gets the start for Houston on Tuesday. The Rangers have yet to announce who will start for them.