HOUSTON (AP) – Shin-Soo Choo homered and drove in three runs as the Texas Rangers beat Houston for the eighth straight time, winning 6-2 Friday night and extending their AL West lead over the Astros to 4 1/2 games.
Houston star second baseman Jose Altuve exited early after being hurt in a collision with shortstop Carlos Correa while chasing a popup. There was no immediate word on Altuve’s injury.
The Rangers improved to 16-7 this month while Houston lost its third in a row and fell to 7-15 in September. The Astros’ lead for the second AL wild-card spot was whittled to one game over the Los Angeles Angels, who played later.
Texas starter Yovani Gallardo allowed eight hits and two runs in 4 2-3 innings and Ross Ohlendorf (3-0) pitched 1 1-3 scoreless innings for the win.
Scott Kazmir (7-11) yielded 10 hits and six runs, lasting just 3 2-3 innings for the second straight game. He hasn’t won since Aug. 22, a span of six straight starts.