The Walk Off: Astros snap long losing streak against the Rangers

Welcome to The Walk Off, the nightly MLB recap from Big League Stew. Here we’ll look at the top performers of the night, show you a must-see highlight and rundown the scoreboard. First, we start with a game you need to know about.

The Houston Astros struggles against the Texas Rangers have been well documented this week. It appears those struggle have even gotten into the minds of a few Astros players. Entering their series finale at Globe Life Park on Wednesday night, the Rangers had defeated the Astros in all eight of their meetings this season. When you go back to last season, they had won 16 of 18.

It’s a big reason Texas was able to rally and win the AL West in 2015. That success is also a big reason they’re leading the division again this season, while the Astros struggle to get to .500. That’s why the Astros needed a win in the worst way, and they finally got it, outlasting Texas 3-1 behind a terrific outing from Doug Fister.

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Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa celebrate after finally beating the Rangers. (AP) The veteran right-hander limited Texas to one run on seven hits over six innings. He then turned it over to Houston bullpen, where four reliever combined to get the final outs. Will Harris, not Luke Gregorson or the outspoken Ken Giles, pitched the ninth to earn his second save and to finally get that monkey off Houston’s back.

Offensively, it was George Springer and Jose Altuve carrying the load. Springer homered leading off the game against Yu Darvish. Then, in the seventh, Altuve gave them the lead for good with a two-run double.

It was a big win for Houston, and a somewhat troubling loss for Texas in that Yu Darvish was forced to leave with shoulder discomfort while Adrian Beltre exited with a sore hamstring. Darvish, of course, was making his third start off Tommy John surgery. He’s expected to be fine, but there’s always extra anxiety with guys in his position. Meanwhile, the Rangers still rely heavily on Beltre, so they’ll hope his absence will be a short one.

TOP PERFORMERS

Josh Donaldson: We’ve yet to see a cycle this season, but Donaldson came as close as anyone, finishing just a double shy in the Blue Jays 7-2 win in Detroit. Donaldson singled and scored in the first. He launched a three-run homer in the third. He tripled in the fifth, before scoring on Kevin Pillar’s triple. Then, in his final at-bat, he grounded out. So close, yet so far away.

Javier Baez: Often a forgotten man in the Chicago Cubs absurdly deep offensive arsenal, Baez made his presence felt in Wednesday’s 8-1 win against the Phillies. The 23-year-old infielder went 4-for-4 at the plate with three singles, a double and three runs knocked in. Baez filled in for Addison Russell at shortstop, but is also capable for playing second base or third base, which gives manager Joe Maddon interesting options every single day. It’s an embarrassment of riches.

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Chris Tillman: With that spotight shining brightly following Tuesday’s brawl, Tillman handled his business very well in the Orioles 4-0 win over the Royals. Tillman struck out nine and scattered eight hits over 7 1/3 innings, but did not walk a batter, hit a batter or allow a homer run. That kept the quick-striking Orioles in the game, and they eventually brokethrough, scoring four in the fifth to win it. In case you’re wondering, Manny Machado went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.

Chris Parmelee: He’s no Mark Teixeira, but Parmelee looked good filling in for the Yankees injured first baseman in Wednesday’s 12-6 win against the Angels. The 28-year-old journeyman connected for two home runs. The first was a solo shot against Jered Weaver that tied that game in the sixth. One inning later, he broke the game wide open with a two-run shot against Greg Mahle. Overall, the Yankees hit four homers in the win.

Chris Iannetta: Basically, if your name was Chris, you had a good night. Seattle’s catcher homer twiced, doubled and drove in four runs, and while catching a shutout, as the Mariners defeated the Indians 5-0.

MUST-SEE HIGHLIGHT

Mac Williamson picked a perfect time to hit his first career home run. With the Giants and Red Sox tied in the eighth inning, Williamson unloaded against Boston starter David Price with a solo homer to break the tie and give San Francisco the lead. It had all the makings of a storybook ending, until Williamson started the next inning by dropping Hanley Ramirez’s fly ball. That gave Boston its own chance to tie or take the lead, but Santiago Casilla, Javier Lopez and Hunter Strickland each record an out to secure San Francisco’s 1-0 win.

THE REST OF THE SCOREBOARD

Mets 6, Pirates 5 (10 innings): Jameson Taillon made a strong impression in hs MLB debut, holding the Mets to three runs over six innings. However, the Mets emerged victorious thanks to Michael Conforto’s two-run homer in the eighth and Wilmer Flores’ game-winning single in the 10th.

Braves 4, Padres 2: Atlanta starter Julio Teheran allowed two solo home runs to Wil Myers, but little else over his eight innings. He improved to 2-6 on the season despite a 2.85 ERA that suggests he deserves All-Star consideration.

Rays 6, Diamondbacks 3: Corey Dickerson homered twice as the Rays will a series from their 1998 expansion brothers.

Nationals 11, White Sox 4: Washington torched James Shields’ in his White Sox, hitting three homers and scoring seven against him in two-plus innings.

Cardinals 12, Reds 7: Brandon Moss (twice), Matt Adams and Jhonny Peralta each homered and drove in three runs for St. Louis.

Twins 7, Marlins 5: Minnesota’s Trevor Plouffe homered and doubled home the go-ahead run. The Twins also got homers from Joe Mauer and Byung-ho Park.

Brewers 4, A’s 0: Chase Anderson allowed two hits over 6 2/3 scoreless innings to pick up his fourth win.

Rockies 1, Dodgers 0: Colorado wins a rare road series in Los Angeles behind six shutout innings from Chris Rusin and a Daniel Descalso RBI single.

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