Rangers complete 4-game sweep of Astros for 1st in AL West
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Mitch Moreland hit a three-run homer, Colby Lewis pitched six innings for his 16th victory and the AL West-leading Texas Rangers beat the Houston Astros 8-2 Thursday night to complete a four-game sweep.
Shin Soo-Choo matched his career high with four hits, scored twice and drove in two runs for the Rangers (79-67), who entered the series trailing Houston by 1 1/2 games.
Texas now leads the division by 2 1/2 games with 16 remaining, including three at Houston from Sept. 25-27.
Houston had been alone top the AL West for 49 consecutive days until losing Tuesday night. The Astros (77-70) finished a 2-8 trip and had just a one-game lead for the second AL wild card over Minnesota, which played later against the Los Angeles Angels.