Martinez Gets 1st Home W as Rangers Beat Astros

Nick Martinez pitched 6 2-3 scoreless innings and Robinson Chirinos homered to lead the Texas Rangers to a 2-1 victory over the Houston Astros on Tuesday night.

The Rangers won their third straight and 10th of their last 11 games. The Astros have dropped six of eight.

Martinez (5-11) got his first win at home and his first at night. The rookie right-hander went into the game 0-6 in eight starts at Globe Life Park in Arlington and 0-10 in 14 starts at night. He allowed five hits, no walks and struck out five.

Neal Cotts allowed a run in the ninth, earning his second save in nine opportunities.

Brett Oberholtzer (5-13) gave up Chirinos' homer and an RBI single to Daniel Robertson, both in the fourth inning.

Martinez has pitched at least five innings in 13 consecutive starts but has completed seven only once.

Texas left two men on in each of the first three innings before scoring in the fourth. Chirinos homered to center for his 12th of the season. Robertson's single to left field barely eluded shortstop Marwin Gonzalez with the infield in, scoring J.P. Arencibia.

Adrian Beltre and Jake Smolinski each had three hits for Texas. Marwin Gonzalez had a single and a double for the Astros.

Houston's Jose Altuve, the A.L.'s leading hitter at .345 going into the game, went hitless in four at-bats.

Obertholtzer is 0-3 against the Rangers this season, and 0-4 against them in his two-year major league career.

Neftali Feliz, Texas' regular closer, was rested after throwing 31 pitches the last two days.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Astros: RHP Josh Fields (general soreness) and LHP Darin Downs (oblique) remain day to day. Fields last pitched on Sept. 9, Downs on Sept. 19.

Rangers: 2B Jurickson Profar (shoulder) has been shut down for the third time since aggravating a 2010 injury during spring training. General manager Jon Daniels said Profar will undergo physical therapy and rehab work with the hope of being able to throw around early January.

UP NEXT

Astros RHP Scott Feldman (8-11) will start Wednesday night's series finale. Feldman has recorded sixth consecutive quality starts. Rangers RHP Lisalverto Bonilla (2-0) will try to become the first Rangers pitcher to win his first three career starts since Alexi Ogando in April 2011. Bonilla took a no-hitter into the fifth inning of his most recent start.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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