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MLB Game Recap: Langford’s Four-Hit Night, Garcia’s Power Lead Rangers Past Astros 7-3

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MLB Game Recap: Langford’s Four-Hit Night, Garcia’s Power Lead Rangers Past Astros 7-3

Texas Rangers baseball player swinging a bat

HOUSTON — July 11, 2025 — The Texas Rangers made a statement Friday night at Minute Maid Park, riding a career-high-tying four hits from rookie sensation Wyatt Langford and a powerful early offensive push to a 7-3 win over the division-leading Houston Astros. The victory opened the weekend rivalry series with authority and dropped Houston to its longest losing streak of the season at four games.

The Texas Rangers continued their impressive performance, showcasing why they are a formidable team in the league.

Langford went 4-for-5, capped by a towering solo home run in the seventh inning, while Adolis García homered for the second straight game. Jack Leiter (5-6) provided solid work on the mound for the Rangers, who improved to 47-48 with the All-Star break on the horizon.

With this victory, the Texas Rangers are showing their potential for a strong second half of the season.

Fast Start Fuels Texas

Outstanding Performances by the Texas Rangers

The Rangers wasted little time attacking Houston starter Lance McCullers Jr. (2-4), forcing the veteran right-hander to throw 36 pitches in the first inning alone. With two outs and the bases loaded, Evan Carter slapped a single into right field that plated Marcus Semien and Corey Seager for a quick 2-0 lead.

This aggressive approach exemplifies the Texas Rangers’ strategy to dominate early in games.

The Astros answered in the bottom of the first as Cam Smith crossed the plate on a fielder’s choice, but that was as close as Houston would get.

Power Surge in the Third

Adolis García continued his recent hot streak with a solo homer to left in the top of the third, his 12th of the season, extending the lead to 3-1. Texas wasn’t done in the frame. Carter worked a two-out walk, Jake Burger followed with a single, and catcher Jonah Heim delivered the key blow — a two-run double to the right-field corner that pushed the lead to 5-1 and effectively knocked McCullers out of rhythm.

The Texas Rangers capitalized on the Astros’ mistakes to extend their lead significantly.

McCullers was lifted after three innings, tagged for six hits and five earned runs. He struck out just two and walked two in a laborious outing that saw Houston’s bullpen pressed into early duty.

Astros Show Life, But Langford Slams the Door

The resilience of the Texas Rangers was evident as they responded to the Astros’ attempts to close the gap.

Houston clawed back in the fourth inning when Christian Walker singled and Victor Caratini launched a two-run homer to right, trimming the deficit to 5-3. But Leiter limited the damage, stranding a runner to keep the lead intact.

Langford, who doubled and singled twice earlier in the game, delivered the exclamation point in the seventh. With two outs, the rookie outfielder crushed a solo homer over the wall in left-center — his ninth of the year — to stretch the lead to 7-3 and silence the Minute Maid crowd.

Langford’s performance is a testament to the talent within the Texas Rangers roster.

Texas’ bullpen closed the door with 3 2/3 scoreless innings, highlighted by clean frames from Jose Leclerc and Brock Burke.

The Texas Rangers’ bullpen proved instrumental in sealing the victory.

Key Moment

The decisive blow came in the third inning when Heim’s two-run double off McCullers gave the Rangers a four-run cushion and all the momentum. Houston never recovered from that swing.

This pivotal moment showcased the Texas Rangers’ ability to seize opportunities.

Notable Performances

  • Wyatt Langford (TEX): 4-for-5, HR, RBI, 2 runs — tied his career high in hits

  • Adolis García (TEX): 2-for-5, HR, 2 runs — second straight game with a homer

  • Jonah Heim (TEX): 1-for-4, 2 RBI double — pivotal hit of the game

  • Jack Leiter (TEX): 5.1 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 6 K — solid bounce-back outing

  • Victor Caratini (HOU): 1-for-4, 2-run HR — kept the Astros in it early

Astros Debut and Injury Notes

Houston’s top infield prospect Brice Matthews made his major league debut, going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. Jake Burger exited the game in the sixth with discomfort in his left quad — a concerning development for the Rangers after his productive start in the series.

What’s Next

The series resumes Saturday with a marquee pitching matchup: Houston’s Framber Valdez (10-4, 2.90 ERA) faces off against Texas ace Jacob deGrom (9-2, 2.29 ERA). First pitch is set for 6:15 p.m. CT as the Rangers aim to clinch the series and close the gap in the AL West before the All-Star break.

The Texas Rangers will look to build on this momentum as they continue their series.

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