The Houston Astros have been on a tear lately, and their 14-1 rout of the struggling Texas Rangers was no exception. Led by Jose Altuve and Martin Maldonado, the Astros put on an offensive show that included five home runs.
Altuve, the 2017 American League MVP, had a huge day at the plate. He went 4-for-5 with two home runs, four RBIs, and three runs scored. His first home run came in the fourth inning and was a two-run shot that put the Astros up 5-0. His second home run was a solo shot in the sixth inning that extended the Astros’ lead to 11-1.
Maldonado also had a big day at the plate. He went 2-for-4 with three RBIs and two home runs. His first home run was a solo shot in the fifth inning that put the Astros up 8-1. His second home run was a two-run shot in the seventh inning that extended the Astros’ lead to 14-1.
The Astros’ offensive outburst was more than enough to back up a solid performance from starter Justin Verlander. Verlander pitched seven innings and allowed just one run on four hits while striking out nine. The win improved his record to 4-2 on the season.
The Astros’ 14-1 win over the Rangers was their sixth straight victory and improved their record to 24-15 on the season. With Altuve and Maldonado leading the way, the Astros look poised to make a run at the American League West title this season.
