First pitch: Villar still out for Astros; Rangers eye seventh straight win
The Rangers can take a four-game series against the Astros with a victory Sunday during a 1:10 p.m. contest at Minute Maid Park. The Astros blew saves during the initial two games of the set, recording No. 21 Saturday in a 5-4 loss. Lefthander Dallas Keuchel (5-6, 4.96 ERA) takes the mound for the Astros, who’ve lost four consecutive games and are just 1-8 in their last nine. Lefty Martin Perez (4-3, 3.81) will start for the Rangers. Ron Washington’s club has won six straight contests and holds a one-game lead in the American League West. Notes Astros manager Bo Porter said Jonathan Villar (sprained left thumb) will return to [...]
