Valdez wins sixth straight as Astros bea

Valdez wins sixth straight as Astros beat Rangers 4-2 August 30 sharefacebooktwitterredditlink ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Jose Altuve homered to back Framber Alvarez, who won his sixth straight decision, as the Houston Astros beat the Texas Rangers 4-2 on Tuesday night.Alvarez (14-4) gave up solo homers to Texas Nos. 8 and 9 hitters, rookies Ezequiel Duran and Bubba Thompson, and five singles in eight innings. He struck out eight and walked none while pitching his 22nd consecutive quality start.Alvarez has the most consecutive quality starts in a season by a left-hander in major league history. Hes tied with Hall of Famer Bob Gibson and Chris Carpenter behind the 24 thrown by Jacob Martin Fehervary Jersey deGrom of the New York Mets in 2018.The 14 wins are second in the American League to teammate Justin Verlanders 16.Altuve pulled an inside slider just inside the left-field foul pole into the second deck to begin Houstons two-run third inning, which included an RBI single by Christian Vasquez and was aided by a throwing error by third baseman Ezequiel Duran. Altuve led off the game with a double and scored on a sacrifice fly by Alex Bregman.The Astros added a run in the seventh inning on a leadoff single by rookie Jeremy Pena, who had three singles, and three straight walks.Hector Neris earned his third save in six opportunities.Dane Dunning (3-7) lost for the first time since June 29. Dunning gave up three runs, two earned, on seven hits and three walks. Of his 95 pitches in five innings, 40 were thrown in the third inning.Thompson homered to left field in the third inning for his first big-league homer. Durans fifth of the season Brett Connolly Jersey came in the fifth, to left center.VERLANDER TO INJURED LISTAstros RHP Justin Verlander was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right calf injury. An MRI revealed fascial disruption, but no muscle fiber disruption. Verlander, 39, said he isnt sure of a timetable for his return but doesnt expect to be out too long.SHORT HOPSRangers RF Adolis Garcia singled twice to extend his on-base streak to 25 games after having his career-best 23-game hitting streak snapped on Sunday. Astros RHP Brandon Bielak and IF/OF J.J. Matijevic were recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land. Astros RHP Hunter Brown leading the Pacific Coast League in earned run average, strikeouts and tied for first with nine Mike Gartner Jersey wins joined the club on the taxi squad and will be activated when rosters expand on Thursday.TRAINERS ROOMAstros: DH Yordan Alvarez (hand) mi sed his second consecutive game and is day to day. Manager Dusty Baker said if it appears Alvarez will mi s five or six games, its unlikely hed be placed on the injured list.Rangers: RHP Josh Sborz (elbow sprain) was placed on the injured list. RHP A.J. Alexy was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock.UP NEXTThe teams will finish the two-game set on Wednesday afternoon with Astros RHP Cristian Javier (7-9, 2.97 ERA) facing Rangers LHP Martin Perez (10-4, 2.69). Javier is 1-6 in his last nine starts, twice not lasting four innings. Perez has shut out the Astros this season (May 20) and allowed seven runs in five innings against them (Aug. 9).___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports in this topic American League Major League Baseball Houston Astros Jose Altuve Yordan Tom Wilson Jersey Alvarez Josh Sborz Cristian Javier Adolis Garca A.J. Alexy Dane Dunning Justin Verlander Brandon Bielak Alex Bregman Hctor Neris Texas Rangers Houston Astros share World Cup fans find booze at hotels, Qatar's 1 liquor store Qatar's strict rules regarding alcohol have drawn attention as it hosts the World Cup 12 MINS AGO ASSOCIATED PRESS Sterling leaves England World Cup camp after home break-in England forward Raheem Sterling has left his teams World Cup camp in Qatar and returned to the U.K. after a break-in at his home 15 MINS AGO ASSOCIATED PRESS Ronaldo looks to shine like Mbapp and Me si at World Cup Cristiano Ronaldo has been overshadowed by the brilliance of Lionel Me si and Kylian Mbapp so far at the World Cup 39 MINS AGO ASSOCIATED PRESS Ottawa hosts Los Angeles after Giroux's 2-goal game The Ottawa Senators host the Los Angeles Kings after Claude Giroux's two-goal game against the San Jose Sharks in the Senators' 5-2 win 1 HOUR AGO ASSOCIATED PRESS Penguins host the Blue Jackets following Kapanen's hat trick The Pittsburgh Penguins host the Columbus Blue Jackets after Jaromir Jagr Jersey Kasperi Kapanen's hat trick against the St. Louis Blues in the Penguins' 6-2 win 1 HOUR AGO ASSOCIATED PRESS