ARLINGTON — The biggest swings from the Astros’ 5-4 win over the Rangers on Friday — their first victory at Globe Life Field, where they were swept aside in May — came in the seventh inning on a two-run double by Jake Meyers and a two-run single by Michael Brantley that tied the game.
The Astros rallied from a 4-0 deficit by sending nine batters to the plate and scoring five times in the seventh for their third win in a row, moving them a season-high 6 1/2 games ahead of the A’s in the American League West race. But the story of how the winning run came across the plate is where the real drama laid.
In fact, the Astros were on the right end of three close plays late in the game, including the game-ending play at first base when shortstop Carlos Correa turned a tag-him-out, throw-him-out double play that was held up after replay review.
“Some hustle plays and some heads-up plays by our guys, stepping up at the right time and making those plays and also putting themselves in position to do that,” Brantley said. “It’s always big for us to take the extra 90 feet and play smart baseball.”
Here’s a closer look at three close plays that swayed Friday’s game in Houston’s favor:
Maldonado shows off his wheels
Veteran catcher Martín Maldonado, who’s one of the slowest players in the Major Leagues, put himself in position to score the go-ahead run in the seventh when he tagged up on a fly ball off the bat of Aledmys Díaz, going to third from second. Maldonado slid head-first ahead of the throw from DJ Peters and just snuck his left hand onto the bag before the tag from Andy Ibáñez.
Maldonado’s momentum took him past the bag, but he was able to hold onto it with his left hand. That was key, considering the 35-year-old wound up scoring moments later when Yuli Gurriel beat out what would have been an inning-ending double-play ball (more on that in a minute).
Maldonado’s sprint speed of 25.3 feet per second on the play was faster than his season average of 23.8, which is in the bottom eight percent of the league.
“I thought he had a good shot to make it,” Astros manager Dusty Baker said. “If he hadn’t gone back and tagged up halfway … they teach you to go halfway on some balls and tag up on some balls. Great presence of mind for a guy that doesn’t have good speed, but that was good baserunning on his part. Heck of a slide. He came off the bag and found the bag again. The umpire was in a great position to see the play. Good play overall by everybody.”
Gurriel safe at first on a close play
With Maldonado at third, Brantley at first and the game tied, Gurriel hit a grounder to shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who threw to second base to retire Brantley for the second out. The relay throw from Nick Solak was a hair late to get Gurriel, allowing Maldonado to score the go-ahead run.
Gurriel, 37, ran 28.7 feet per second down the line, which was also above his season average (27.0). Gurriel is an above-average runner, but by no means is a speedster.
“That shows you what kind of shape he’s in and shows you his desire to play and also, it shows you age is only a factor if you let it be,” Baker said. “Shows me that I would have loved to see him when he could really run, when he was young and could really run. He’s an above-average runner now. This guy is in great shape.”
Correa calls game
The ninth inning wasn’t without some drama, when singles by Kiner-Falefa and Adolis García against closer Ryan Pressly put runners at first and second base with one out. Nathaniel Lowe hit a chopper over the mound that Correa fielded as he crossed second base. He tagged García and threw to first to barely get Lowe for the final out.
The Rangers, who had nothing to lose, challenged the call, but it was upheld after a brief review. Correa’s exceptional defense at shortstop hasn’t been lost on his teammates.
“It’s a great play,” Brantley said. “He’s been doing it daily. I get a chance to play behind him and watch those plays. He’s not getting enough credit for his defense and how well he’s been performing, day in and day out.”
