Wyatt Langford and Adolis García HRs help Rangers to a 7-3 victory over Astros

HOUSTON (AP) — Wyatt Langford homered with a career-high tying four hits and Adolis García added a solo shot to lead the Texas Rangers to a 7-3 win over the Houston Astros on Friday night.

The Rangers jumped on Lance McCullers Jr. (2-4) early. There were two outs with the bases loaded in the first when Evan Carter’s single to right field knocked in a pair to put the Rangers up 2-0.

The AL West-leading Astros cut the deficit to 2-1 when Cam Smith scored on a groundout in the bottom of the inning.

García homered for a second straight game with one out in the third that made it 3-1. Carter walked with two outs before a single from Jake Burger. Jonah Heim’s double to right field scored them both to extend the lead to 5-1.

McCullers allowed six hits and five runs in three innings as Houston’s losing streak reached a season-high four games.

Texas Rangers’ Adolis García runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Friday, July 11, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Langford’s blast came with two outs in the seventh to push the lead to 7-3.

Jack Leiter (5-6) yielded five hits and three runs while striking out six in 5 1/3 innings.

Christian Walker singled to open Houston’s fourth before Victor Caratini’s home run to right field got the Astros within 5-3.

Burger was replaced in the middle of the sixth inning with discomfort in his left quad.

Houston’s top prospect, second baseman Brice Matthews, went 0 for 4 with with three strikeouts in his major league debut.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. (43) reacts after fielding a base hit during the third inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Friday, July 11, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Key moment

Heim’s two RBI double in the third that pushed the lead to four.

Key stat

The Rangers forced McCullers to throw 36 pitches in the first inning.

Up next

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jack Leiter (35) delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Friday, July 11, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Houston LHP Framber Valdez (10-4, 2.90 ERA) opposes RHP Jacob deGrom (9-2, 2.29) when the series continues Saturday.

Texas Rangers’ Jonah Heim, left, congratulates Marcus Semien, right, after he scored during the first inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Friday, July 11, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community? Create a free account to comment on stories, ask questions, and join meaningful discussions on our new site.

Leave a Reply

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.