HOUSTON (AP) — Framber Valdez threw seven shutout innings, Martín Maldonado and Alex Bregman homered with three RBIs each, and the Houston Astros beat the Texas Rangers 7-3. The Astros improved to 72-41, moving one-half game ahead of the slumping New York Yankees for the AL’s best record.
Manager Dusty Baker returned after missing five games with COVID-19.
Valdez allowed four singles and struck out eight to get his third straight win. Houston roughed up rookie Cole Ragans for five runs in 4 1/3 innings.
