San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
Springer & Co. withstand a walk on wild side
ARLINGTON —
George Springer hit a tiebreaking single in the seventh inning and the Houston Astros overcame a wild start from Charlie Morton to beat the Texas Rangers 4-3 on Saturday.
Morton tied an AL record with four hit batters and had a career-high six walks as the Astros allowed 10 walks, a season high. But the Rangers tied a club record with 17 runners left on base in a nineinning game, most in the majors without extra innings this season.
The right-hander, who had a 10-game winning streak stopped in his previous start, gave up two runs without allowing a hit in the second. The only hit Morton surrendered in 3 2⁄ innings was a third
3 inning double from Ronald Guzman that didn’t factor in the scoring.
After hitting Rougned Odor and walking Robinson Chirinos and Guzman in the second, Morton struck out Shin-Soo Choo before Delino DeShields hit a chopper up the middle that second baseman Jose Altuve fumbled for an error as Odor scored. Nomar Mazara followed with a sacrifice fly for an unearned run and a 2-2 tie.
Reliever Brad Peacock hit Isiah Kiner-Falefa with his final pitch in the sixth to break Houston’s franchise record with five hit batters. The Rangers also set a club record by getting hit five times, but the worst hitting team in the majors with runners in scoring position went 1 for 17 in those situations. Texas stranded 12 runners in scoring position.
Tony Sipp (1-0) struck out the first three hitters he faced in the sixth and seventh, and Hector Rondon got pinch hitter Adrian Beltre to bounce into a game-ending double play for his second save. Correa out again: SS Carlos Correa missed a third straight game with soreness on his right side. Manager A.J. Hinch said Correa could be available Sunday if he doesn’t start, and the club is optimistic he will be ready after an off day Monday.