MLB American League News

Jon Gray goes 6 innings in loss to Astros

Jon Gray goes 6 innings in loss to Astros

HOUSTON — The Rangers knew it was bound to be a low-scoring affair on both sides coming into Minute Maid Park and facing off against Astros ace Justin Verlander. 

The Rangers came out on the wrong end of the pitchers’ duel, with starter Jon Gray giving up two runs in six innings as Texas fell, 2-1, to Houston on Saturday night.  

“Those are the games you wish you win,” said Rangers manager Chris Woodward. “We had our chances. [Gray] was battling a little bit of execution, the pitch counts were running up a little bit early on, but he settled down and the stuff showed up good. He gave us six [innings] and only gave up two [runs], that’s usually a pretty good day, and it could have been better, actually. … Overall, it was good to see him out there.”

Though Astros hitters battled through a lot of long at-bats, Gray’s six-inning outing (94 pitches) was his longest of the season as he kept the Rangers within striking distance. Texas trailed just 2-0 when the right-hander left the game and had a chance to tie it up in each of the last two innings.

An eighth-inning rally from the Rangers fell short and was halted after Adolis García was thrown out attempting to steal third base with one out after knocking in Corey Seager for Texas’ lone RBI of the game.

Woodward has consistently given players the freedom to make decisions on base-stealing depending on what they see from the pitch or catcher, so while it was not a designed steal, he emphasized multiple…

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