ASTROS GET BY RANGERS, 2-1

The Astros edged the Rangers in a pitchers’ duel Wednesday night, 2-1 at Minute Maid Park.

Houston got the only runs they would need in the first inning, on a two-run Michael Brantley home run.  The Rangers responded in the fourth inning with a solo homer from Ian Kainer-Falefa, but would get no closer.

Christian Javier (4-1) held the Rangers at bay for 6-and-2/3 innings, yielding just two hits and striking out three.  For Javier it was his fourth-straight win after dropping his 2020 debut.

Ryan Pressley picked up the save with a scoreless ninth.

Kolby Allard (0-4) picked up the tough loss, yielding just the two runs on two hits and striking out four.

The Astros and Rangers will close out the series with a Thursday afternoon matinee at 1:10.