HOUSTON (AP) \u2014 Jeremy Pe\u00f1a went 3 for 3 with a walk and scored twice, Jose Altuve drove in two runs and the Houston Astros held on Tuesday night for a 6-5 victory over the Texas Rangers.<\/p>\n
Jes\u00fas S\u00e1nchez had a two-run single for the Astros, who nearly squandered a 6-0 lead. But they remained a half-game behind red-hot Seattle for first place in the AL West and moved a half-game ahead of Boston for the second of three American League wild cards. <\/p>\n
Houston led by five when pinch-hitter Rowdy Tellez walked with two outs in the eighth inning. Jonah Heim\u2019s pinch-hit homer off Enyel De Los Santos cut it to 6-3.<\/p>\n
Kyle Higashioka singled before an RBI double by Josh Jung pulled Texas to 6-4 and chased De Los Santos.<\/p>\n
Bryan Abreu took over and walked Alejandro Osuna before pinch-hitter Adolis Garc\u00eda\u2019s run-scoring single made it 6-5. Abreu retired Cody Freeman on a flyball to end the inning.<\/p>\n
In the ninth, Abreu allowed a leadoff single to Josh Smith and a two-out single to Heim before striking out Higashioka for his seventh save.<\/p>\n
Yainer Diaz hit an RBI double in a four-run Houston fourth that made it 6-0. Texas starter Merrill Kelly (12-8) yielded nine hits and six runs in three-plus innings.<\/p>\n
Freeman hit a solo homer in the fifth for the Rangers, who have lost three straight. They are 3 1\/2 games behind Boston for the AL\u2019s last postseason spot with 10 to play. <\/p>\n
Houston starter AJ Blubaugh allowed two hits and struck out seven over three scoreless innings in his second major league start. Colton Gordon (5-4) gave up two hits and a run in three innings of relief for the win. <\/p>\n
Key moment<\/p>\n
Abreu\u2019s strikeout of Higashioka to complete the four-out save.<\/p>\n
Key stat<\/p>\n
The season series between the teams is tied 6-6.<\/p>\n
Up next<\/p>\n
Texas RHP Jacob deGrom (12-7, 2.82 ERA) opposes RHP Cristian Javier (1-3, 4.78) in the series finale Wednesday night.<\/p>\n
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