Astros beat Rangers in AL West showdown behind JP France's strong outing

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Kyle Tucker and Martín Maldonado homered, rookie starter J.P. France worked seven solid innings and the Houston Astros beat the Texas Rangers 4-3 on Tuesday night.

The Astros (58-44) moved within a game of the AL West-leading Rangers (59-43). The injury-plagued Astros could see the return of stars José Altuve and Yordan Alvarez on Wednesday when they go for a series sweep and the top spot in the division.

Tucker’s line-drive homer narrowly cleared the wall in right-center, giving Houston a 3-1 lead in the sixth inning.

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J.P. France #68 of the Houston Astros pitches in the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park on July 25, 2023 in Houston, Texas.  (Logan Riely/Getty Images)

In the seventh, Maldonado crushed a 93-mph fastball that nearly landed on the train tracks above left-center field, extending the Astros’ lead to 4-1.

In the ninth, Astros closer Ryan Pressly allowed a two-run homer to Mitch Garver that traveled 420 feet to straightaway center field. That cut Houston’s lead to 4-3 before Pressly got Leody Taveras to fly out to the warning track in right field, securing his 24th save.

France (6-3) allowed five hits and two walks while striking out three. France, a 28-year-old right-hander, lowered his ERA to 2.97 and has allowed three earned runs or less in 12 of 14 starts.

"Today, I couldn’t thank the defense enough," France said. "To have the defense behind me, it’s awesome. I have the reassurance that even if the ball gets put in play, they’re going to make a play on it."

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