Rangers blank Astros in Game 1

Texas Rangers left-hander Jordan Montgomery earned the distinction of being just the third pitcher in franchise history with multiple Game 1 starts in the postseason, and he delivered a performance worthy of that footnote in club annals.

Montgomery carried a shutout into the seventh inning and Leody Taveras socked his first career playoff homer as Texas extended its franchise-record postseason winning streak to six games with a 2-0 victory over the Houston Astros in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series.

The Rangers looked to run that winning streak to seven games, and claim a 2-0 lead in the series, on Monday in Houston, while the Arizona Diamondbacks and Philadelphia Phillies got the NLCS started as well.

Montgomery (2-0) improved to 4-0 with a 1.22 ERA over his last seven starts (regular and postseason) by limiting the Astros to five hits and one walk with six strikeouts over 61/3 innings.

A trade deadline acquisition from the St. Louis Cardinals on July 30, Montgomery previously worked seven shutout innings in a 4-0 victory in Game 1 of the AL wild-card series against the Tampa Bay Rays. He joined fellow lefties C.J. Wilson and Cliff Lee in making multiple Game 1 postseason starts for the Rangers.

“If it doesn’t raise your game in the playoffs, I don’t think you’re doing it right,” Montgomery said of the opportunity to start in the postseason. “Obviously I’m super excited to take the ball (Sunday). And anytime I can give my team a chance to win, I’ll do my best.”

Taveras finished 2-for-2 with a walk batting in the nine-hole against Astros right-hander Justin Verlander. He drilled a 1-2 slider from Verlander 398 feet into the right field seats with one out in the fifth to double the Rangers’ lead.

Texas had grabbed a 1-0 advantage off Verlander (1-1) in the second when Jonah Heim followed a one-out double by Evan Carter with an RBI single.

Verlander gave up two runs on six hits in 62/3 innings. He walked two and fanned five.

Jose Leclerc retired the Astros in order in the ninth. (Reuters)