Manager Jeff Banister goes to the mound to make a pitching change during the Rangers’ 10-0 defeat to the Astros Sunday in Houston.
Following a 7-6 victory Saturday that featured a benches-clearing scuffle and seemed to ignite a fire under the team, Texas received a harsh dose of solid pitching by All-Star starter Dallas Keuchel in a 10-0 loss to the Astros on Sunday.
Keuchel set a new career high with 13 strikeouts over seven innings of work and improved his season record to 12-4. While Houston stranded 10 runners on base in the ballgame, it was also able to push 10 across the plate against Yovani Gallardo and Anthony Ranaudo.
Third baseman Luis Valbuena drove in four runs for the Astros, and outfielders Colby Rasmus and Preston Tucker each added a two-run homer in the blowout.
On Saturday, Texas rode a quality start from Colby Lewis to a 7-6 win at Minute Maid Park, although the bullpen left much to be desired in allowing four runs over the final two innings.
Rougned Odor provided Lewis with an early advantage when he connected for a two-run homer off former Ranger Scott Feldman in the top of the third.
The Texas lead would grow to 5-1 before Houston scored three runs in the eighth, the first of which came home on an RBI double into left-center field by Jose Altuve. Marwin Gonzalez appeared to be tagged out by catcher Robinson Chirinos on a close play at the plate, but Tony Randazzo’s safe call was upheld after the Rangers issued a challenge.
In the top of the ninth, Astros catcher Hank Conger took exception to the amount of time Rougned Odor was taking to get into the batter’s box for his plate appearance, and words were exchanged between the two before both benches emptied.
Texas manager Jeff Banister was visibly upset with Houston skipper A.J. Hinch during the mild quarrel, and he said after the game that “our guys are not going to be pushed around.”
Conger would hit a two-run shot off Shawn Tolleson with no outs in the bottom of the inning, but Tolleson was able to retire the next three batters to nail down the 7-6 win for Texas.
Prior to last week’s All-Star Game at Great American Ballpark, the Rangers had dropped four out of five games against N.L. West division opponents Arizona and San Diego.
In the midsummer classic, designated hitter Prince Fielder went 1-for-1 with an RBI single and a run-scoring sacrifice fly as part of the American League’s 6-3 victory over the National League.
Feliz Signed by Tigers; Detwiler to Braves
Former closer Neftali Feliz cleared waivers and was granted free agency after being designated for assignment earlier this month, and he was picked up by Detroit to join its depleted bullpen on Jul. 11.
Left-hander Ross Detwiler, meanwhile, was DFA’d and released by Texas before signing a deal with the Atlanta Braves on Friday. Detwiler began the season as a starter but was moved to the bullpen after going 0-5 with a 6.95 ERA over his first seven starts.
His spot on the active roster was taken by right-handed reliever Roman Mendez, who was then sent back to Triple-A Round Rock when lefty Martin Perez was activated from the 60-day disabled list.
Catcher Carlos Corporan was placed on the 15-day DL Friday (retroactive to Jul. 13) with a sprained left thumb, an injury he had been dealing with for weeks but aggravated while taking batting practice against Matt Harrison.
Twenty-four-year-old Tomas Telis was recalled from Round Rock to take Corporan’s spot on the active roster.
Rangers Could Pursue Hamels
Left-handed starter Cole Hamels is one of the top names expected to be moved before the Jul. 31 non-waiver trade deadline, and Texas – despite its lackluster showing in the standings – is among the teams considered a potential suitor.
While Hamels, 31, would instantly bolster the top of the rotation, he will also command a steep asking price as far as a return package. Infielder Joey Gallo is considered to be off-limits, but catcher Jorge Alfaro or outfielder Nomar Mazara could be included as part of a deal with Philadelphia.
If Texas ends up as a seller instead of a buyer at the deadline, starting pitchers Yovani Gallardo, Colby Lewis and Wandy Rodriguez would all be viable options to get traded.
Nate's Notes 
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