The Texas Rangers scored five runs while the Houston Astros scored one run.

Last night the Rangers experienced a rare-in-2025 bullpen hiccup in conjunction with a continuation of a season-long inability to consistently score runs. They flipped that script tonight to secure no worse than a tie in this series with Houston.

Despite the 5-1 final score, there were more tense moments late for Texas as they took a freshly-earned 3-1 lead into the seventh when Jacob Webb — pitching for the first time since Monday — walked a couple after getting a couple of outs and was tasked with facing Jose Altuve, a man with a career .876 OPS against the Rangers and heartbreak highlights delivered at Texas’ expense.

Last night’s fate was avoided as Webb buckled down and got a 3-2 pitch strikeout of Houston’s little perpetual hero and the Rangers held onto their lead before lengthening it half an inning later for some much appreciated breathing room. That insurance was started by No. 9 hitter Sam Haggerty annoying his way around the bases for a run and Wyatt Langford punctuating the scoring with a solo dong.

To get from there to here, the Rangers had to withstand a first inning Astros run and the usual creeping doubts as to whether or not they would come through at the plate. Tonight’s starter Tyler Mahle was up to the task of allowing the bats a chance to figure out Houston starter Ronel Blanco.

Mahle tossed six innings of one-run ball with five hits, a couple of walks, and three strikeouts. He came into today with such a ridiculously low ERA of 1.47. Despite a quality start, Mahle’s ERA stayed at 1.47 because it’s hard to be better than almost untouchable.

Texas helped Mahle grab his fifth win of the year by tying the game in the third and then going ahead for good via a two-run home run off the bat of Joc Pederson off Blanco. That dinger followed a Marcus Semien base hit. Arguably the two Rangers batters who have struggled the most this season were responsible for the runs that gave them the lead and eventually the win tonight.

Player of the Game: While Mahle deserves it for continuing his march of excellence, Pederson gets the nod for coming through with the big hit that changed the game.

In addition to the big home run, Pederson also drew two walks to raise his OPS above .500 (.502) on the year.

Up Next: The Rangers and Astros close out this first Silver Boot series of the year with RHP Jack Leiter expected to make the start for Texas against a pitcher to be named for Houston.

The Sunday matinee finale from The Shed is scheduled for 12:05 pm CT and will be carried on the Roku.