Alvarez, Correa go deep as Astros beat rookie Rangers 5-2

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Houston Astros finally have their primary lineup back together on the field. The AL West leaders also have left-hander Framber Valdez throwing strikes.

Yordan Álvarez homered for the fifth time in eight games, Carlos Correa also went deep and Valdez had another impressive start in a 5-2 victory over the rookie-laden Texas Rangers on Saturday night.

Valdez (9-4) struck out seven and walked one over seven innings while giving up two runs and three hits. The left-hander threw 61 of 85 pitches for strikes, after going seven scoreless innings in his previous start.

“I think he was better this time than last time,” manager Dusty Baker said. “He's under control, he's throwing his breaking ball at will, and he was very relaxed. ... When he’s throwing strikes like that, quality strikes, he’s not walking people and he’s very hard to hit.”

Ryan Pressly worked the ninth for his 21st save in 23 chances as the Astros (77-52) moved to a season-high 25 games over .500. They have won four games in a row, and have a 6 1/2-game lead over Oakland in the division.

All-Star outfielder Adolis García, one of six rookies in the starting lineup for the last-place Rangers (44-85), hit his 28th homer in the sixth, the first homer allowed by Valdez over six starts. They still lost their fifth game in a row and are an MLB-worst 9-30 since the All-Star break.

Valdez threw six no-hit and scoreless innings with six walks against Texas on July 24, when he needed 99 pitches. He threw only nine pitches to get through the first inning Saturday night, and retired 10 of the first 11 batters he faced while Houston jumped ahead 4-0.

“His ball is moving all over the place. ... His stuff is nasty,” Rangers manager Chris Woodward said. “His ball is moving, and it’s not consistent....

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Alvarez-Correa-go-deep-as-Astros-beat-rookie-16419118.php