BALTIMORE (AP) Bryce Harper and Bryan De La Cruz both homered, and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Baltimore Orioles 8-0 on Sunday in a game halted by rain after 5 1/2 innings.The rain was steady for much of the afternoon. The game started on time, but players had to deal with wet weather until the field was pretty well soaked after the top of the third. There was a delay for 1 hour, 49 minutes that knocked Philadelphia starter Zack Wheeler and Baltimore's Kyle Bradish (7-10) out of the game.The Phillies then scored twice in the fourth, once in the fifth and three times in the sixth before another delay, which was followed by the game being called.This was the last game for both teams before Monday's trade deadline. Philadelphia occupies a wild card in the National League. The Orioles fell to 2 1/2 games behind the final playoff spot in the AL.De La Cruz's two-run homer in the third opened the scoring. After the first delay, Anthony Nunez came on for the Orioles and loaded the bases by allowing two singles and a walk. Then he walked Bryson Stott on four pitches to make it 3-0. Justin Crawford's groundout brought in another run.Harper hit a solo homer in the fifth, his 23rd of the season. Crawford added an RBI single in the sixth, and De La Cruz and Kyle Schwarber hit sacrifice flies.Reliever Tim Mayza (3-3) got the win.Up nextThe Phillies return home to face Washington on Monday night. Aaron Nola (3-9, 5.61 ERA) starts for Philadelphia.Baltimore is off Monday before hosting the Los Angeles Angels.___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Aug 2, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels second baseman Vaughn Grissom (5) catches a ball at second base for a force out against Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Garrett Mitchell (5) in the sixth inning at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jon Endow-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectThe Brewers started their west coast road trip by being shut out by the Giants, 3-0. They ended the road trip with the same result shut out 3-0, this time by the Angels. Jacob Misiorowski was his usual dominant self, but one mistake hurt his day. Meanwhile, Walbert Urea kept the Brewers in check and bolstered his strong rookie season.Both pitchers started out dealing. Urea started his day by striking out the Brewers in order on 10 pitches. Misiorowski responded by striking out the side as well, also on 10 pitches. It was an early show of what we would see for most of the day.In the second, Urea issued a leadoff walk to William Contreras, but nothing else in a scoreless second. As for Misiorowski, he had his one bad inning of the day. Vaughn Grissom led off the inning with a single. Two batters later, Wade Meckler hit a cutter out to right center for a two-run home run. It was the second straight cutter that hMisorowski threw in the same spot. He recovered and retired the next two batters, but the Angels had a 2-0 lead.In the third, the Brewers had one of there best chances to score, but also partially ran their way out of it. David Hamilton drew a one-out walk, then immediately tried to steal second. While he had a good jump, catcher Tyler Heinemans throw was perfectly located to shortstop Zack Neto, who was able to catch and swipe tag Hamilton on the leg for the out.That would end up being a major out for the Angels. The Brewers got two more baserunners from a Brice Turang singled and Jackson Chourio walk, but Garrett Mitchell grounded out to end the inning. After giving up that run in the second inning, Misiorowski settled in and became his usual dominant self. He did not allow another baserunner until the seventh inning, when he walked Jo Adell with two outs. He finished that inning and that was the end of his day. He pitched seven innings, allowing two runs on two hits and a walk. He struck out 10 in the game and needed just 83 pitches to do it. It was his tenth double-digit strikeout game of the season, which is a team record.Jacob Misiorowski's 10th strikeout of the afternoon gives him 10 double-digit strikeout games in 21 starts this season already a single-season franchise record. 10 Miz (2026)9 Burnes (2022)9 Sheets (2004)8 Burnes (2021)7 Woodruff (2022)7 Gallardo (2010)7 Higuera (1987) Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) August 2, 2026On the other side, Urea bent a little more, but did not break in his start. He allowed a single to Cooper Pratt in the fifth, then another single to Chourio in the sixth. That was it for Urea. He finished the day with six scoreless innings pitched, three hits and three walks allowed with seven strikeouts. After Urea left the game, Jake Bauers drew a leadoff walk off of Luke Murphy in the seventh. After Andrew Vaughn had a hard hit lineout that went right to Denzer Guzman at third, Bauers was caught off of first base. Luis Lara flew out to end the inning.Sam Bachman came in to start the eighth inning for the Angels. After Pratt grounded out to start the inning, Hamilton drew a four-pitch walk. Then, on the first pitch to Turang, a passed ball let Hamilton reach second. At the same time, Bachman called for the trainers with an arm issue. He was pulled from the game for Ryan Zeferjahn. He finished up a strikeout of Turang, then Chourio singled to put runners at the corners. Mitchell had a chance to get the Brewers on the board and maybe tie or take the lead, but struck out to end the inning.DL Hall came in to pitch the eighth inning, making his first appearance since returning from the IL. It was not a sharp return for him. He started the inning by walking Guzman, but responded with a strikeout of pinch-hitter Jose Siri. Heineman then grounded out but moved Guzman up to second. After that, a wild pitch from Hall let Guzman reach third, and Neto singled to bring in Guzman and make it a 3-0 game. Hall allowed another single to Mike Trout after that, but Nolan Schanuel grounded out to end the inning.Zeferjahn came back out to finish the game in the ninth. Bauers hit a one-out single to keep some hope going, but strikeouts of Vaughn and Lara (who was victim of a bad strike three call but had no challenges left) ended the game.The Brewers had their chances, as they had 10 baserunners (five hits, five walks) compared to the Angels six (four hits, two walks). Unfortunately, the Brewers did not take advantage of their scoring chances. Two baserunners were erased (one caught stealing, one pickoff) and a double play ended another potential scoring chance. As a team, they went 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position and left seven on base. Chourio led the offense with a 2-for-3 day and one walk. Jake Bauers had a hit and a walk as well. Turang and Pratt had the other two hits for the offense, and Hamilton was hitless but walked twice. Its back to American Family Field now for a seven-game homestand, opening tomorrow against the Pirates. Before that game begins, the MLB trade deadline will pass at 5 p.m. tomorrow, just under 24 hours from this writing. The Brewers will be active on the market and could have a new addition or two by then.

There were eight ABS challenges made in Sundays 2-1 Cubs loss to the Yankees, four by the Cubs and four by the New Yorkers. All four of the Cubs challenges were successful, including one in the first inning.They could have had five successful challenges and tied the game in the bottom of the sixth. Situation: Bases loaded, two out, Nico Hoerner at the plate. The count is 3-0 and Yankees reliever Brent Headrick has had trouble throwing strikes. One more ball and the game is tied.Nico did not challenge pitch four:As you can see, that pitch wasnt close. It would have forced in a run and tied the game and then maybe were talking about a different result. And as you can see here, Nico made an out on the next pitch (a fly to left) to end the inning.That wasnt the only reason the Cubs lost this game, but Anyway, lets go back to the beginning. Colin Rea struck out the first five Yankees he faced and got the sixth on a ground out. Then in the third, Ryan McMahon singled and Jos Caballero put a ball into the left-field bleachers and the Yankees led 2-0.That homer was Reas only mistake, really otherwise he was just outstanding. He allowed just three other baserunners a walk right after the homer, the leadoff hitter reaching in the fourth on a rare error by Nico, and a leadoff single in the seventh, after which Rea was relieved by Ryan Rolison.Rea struck out seven [VIDEO]. Your browser does not support the video tag. And more on Reas outing [VIDEO]. Your browser does not support the video tag. And even more on Reas afternoon from BCBs JohnW53:This was the Cubs fifth quality start in their last six games, following Rea and Matthew Boyd at St. Louis, on Tuesday and Wednesday, then Shta Imanaga and David Peterson vs. the Yankees on Friday and Saturday. It was the Cubs 37th QS and Reas sixth, moving him up to second behind Imanagas 10. Boyd has five; Edward Cabrera and Jameson Taillon, four; Ben Brown, three; Javier Assad ad Peterson, two; and Cade Horton, one.The Cubs couldnt do much with Gerrit Cole early, either. Pete Crow-Armstrong led off the first with a walk, which he got on a challenged strike three, overturned to ball four [VIDEO]. Your browser does not support the video tag. But PCA was stranded at first base. The Cubs didnt have another baserunner until Seiya Suzuki doubled to lead off the fourth. He scored on this single by Michael Busch [VIDEO]. Your browser does not support the video tag. But Alex Bregman then hit into a double play and Ian Happ grounded out, and that ended that potential rally.The Cubs had another rally in the bottom of the sixth, noted above. PCA walked and Suzuki singled, with PCA stopping at second. Two outs later Happ walked to load the bases, and then there was the Nico Hoerner at-bat already mentioned.Rolison threw 1.2 innings without allowing a run and Aaron Civale finished off the eighth without giving the Yankees anything further. The Cubs had another chance to score in the bottom of the eighth. PCA walked again, his third of the game. Suzuki was calld out on strikes, but Busch walked, putting the potential tying run on second base. Bregman flied to center and PCA took third. At that point Craig Counsell sent Justin Dean in to run for Busch, and everyone in the ballpark knew he was going to try to steal second, which he wound up doing successfully.With the tying run at third and lead run at second, Happ flied out to end the inning.Civale threw a scoreless ninth, and so the Cubs had one last chance against Yankees closer David Bednar, who some past Cubs teams hit pretty well in his days with the Pirates.With one out, Pedro Ramirez walked and stole second, again putting the tying run in scoring position. But Dansby Swanson grounded out, leaving it to pinch-hitter Michael Conforto.Confortos had some heroics this year, but not on this day, as he was called out on strikes to end the game.The Yankees arent a good hitting team without Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger and Giancarlo Stanton, but they still have some good hitters, including Ben Rice and Spencer Jones, and the Cubs held them to six runs in the three games, two in each. But the Cubs offense wasnt enough to win on Friday or Sunday, and so they drop two of three. The Phillies defeated the Orioles Sunday, and they are in the third wild card spot, 4.5 games behind the Cubs. The Diamondbacks lost to the Guardians and are in the second wild card spot, 3.5 games back of the Cubs. For whatever its worth, the Angels defeated the Brewers and Jacob Misiorowski Sunday, so the Cubs remain 6.5 games behind Milwaukee.It wont get any easier starting Monday, as the Dodgers come to Wrigley Field for a three-game series. At this writing the Dodgers do not have a starter listed for Mondays series opener, though it is likely going to be Justin Wrobleski. Matthew Boyd will go for the Cubs. Game time Monday is 7:05 p.m. CT and TV coverage will be via Marquee Sports Network.And Tarik Skubal, just acquired by the Dodgers, is listed as their starter Tuesday night against Javier Assad. Should be fun times.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 30: Luis Garca Jr. #2 of the Washington Nationals reacts after hitting a double in the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on July 30, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesPaul Toboni traded Luis Garcia Jr. to the New York Yankees, and it is very clear what he was looking for in the package. The Nats got four right handed pitchers in Jack Cebert, Yovanny Cruz, Ben Grable and Jake Bird. Three of the four arms are relievers, who are either already big league ready or will be next year.The Nationals return, per source: RHP Ben Grable, RHP Yovanny Cruz, RHP Jack Cebert, RHP Jake Bird Spencer Nusbaum (@spencernusbaum_) August 2, 2026Instead of finding high upside fliers, or even helping the farm system, this trade was about helping the 2027 and 2028 pitching staffs. It is a very interesting trade to wrap your head around because it is not the kind of move you see too often. Usually, you do not see deals this heavily based around minor league relief arms. However, with the Nationals organizational needs, the move makes sense.First, I want to talk a little bit about what the Yankees are getting here. As we all know, Luis Garcia Jr. is having a monster year. He leads all NL hitters in slugging percentage and has 23 homers with an .873 OPS. Garcia chases a lot, but he makes a lot of contact, and more importantly a lot of hard contact.Luis Garcia Jr. this season (374 PA): .283/.313/.560 (.873 OPS) .355 xwOBA 134 wRC+ 16.3 K%/4.3 BB% 23 HR, 76 RBILeft handed hitting infielder under control through 2027. Heres his homer over the chop house this week. pic.twitter.com/d7fqB2dgc4 YankeesMuse (@YankeesMuse) August 2, 2026He should be in a first base or DH platoon of some sorts. Garcia, Ben Rice and Paul Goldschmidt will rotate between the DH and 1B spots. It is not the cleanest fit for the Yankees, but they needed all the offensive firepower they could get. Garcia should thrive in Yankees Stadium, and gives the Yankees bat to ball skills which they need.Garcia was a long time Nat, who we saw grow up over the years. Seeing him blossom into the player and leader he has become this season was really special to watch. I know I will be rooting for Garcia in New York. It was an up and down tenure, but Garcia ended his time with the Nats on the best possible note.Now on to the return, the headliner of the deal is probably Jack Cebert. I put headliner in quotes because there are three guys in here who have fairly similar value to me. Cebert is the only starting pitcher of the bunch, so he is probably the most valuable based on that.Cebert has had a remarkable rise this season, going from a 15th round pick last year to a top 15 prospect in the Yankees system. For the season he has a 4.03 ERA with 96 strikeouts and 25 walks in 82.2 innings across two levels. He has been homer prone, but the combination of swing and miss stuff with good control is very enticing.Cebert is 24 years old at Double A with a 4.90 ERA and 4.59 FIP, but also has a strong 19.7 K-BB%. The problem is hes giving up an outrageously high 19.3 HR/FB (League average is roughly 11%). Hopefully not the headliner, would be an interesting secondary piece tho https://t.co/UbZK74XDFfpic.twitter.com/m5CeGSMlea Paul Cubbage (@PaulCubbage23) August 2, 2026Right now he is on the shelf, but it is with a calf strain rather than an arm issue. Cebert has a fun three fastball attack that is very common around the league right now. He has a 4-seamer and sinker that sit around 95, as well as a cutter around 90. Cebert finishes off the arsenal with a slider.However, the most interesting pieces of this package to me are the relievers. First, I want to talk about Yovanny Cruz who should slide into high leverage duties in the big leagues immediately. Cruz has a lot of what you want to see in a reliever. First, he has a fastball that has averaged 100 in the majors and 99.4 in AAA. Even though the shape of the fastball is not great, 100 is still 100.His best pitch though is probably his low 90s slider which is a true wipeout offering. He generated whiffs at a 43% clip on the pitch in the big leagues and almost 49% of the time in AAA. It just falls off the table and devastates hitters. He also throws a nice splitter to lefties.Yovanny Cruz is rumored to be in the Garcia deal he has this and a 100 mph fastball hell help in the one day 1 pic.twitter.com/bMTpBWT5Ek Nationals Source (@NationalsSource) August 2, 2026For a guy with his stuff, Cruz also throws a lot of strikes. His walk rate was 8.8% in AAA and only 5% in his 5 big league innings. When guys make contact with the heater, it can be hit hard though. I would not be surprised if the Nats gave him a sinker.The other reliever in the package is Ben Grable, who is not going to be MLB ready until next year. Grable has a monster fastball that sits around 96, but has a ton of life and carry at the top of the zone. It is one of those rising fastballs that plays above its velocity.Ben Grable is another prospect thats coming back to the Nats in the Garcia trade, which, like Yovanny Cruz, has an insane fastballVery very intriguing trade, Im leaning towards Im okay with it pic.twitter.com/s5aB8aqcQA Kev (@klwoodjr) August 2, 2026Grable pairs it with a solid slider that plays well off the fastball, but the heater is the star of the show. He has also shown very good command, walking less than 7% of hitters this season. Grable was only drafted in 2025, but he has torn through High-A and AA. He should be ready sometime next year.The last piece of the package is a curious one. Jake Bird had some solid years with the Rockies, but the 30 year old fell on hard times in New York. He has spent a lot of time in the minors since arriving there.However, he should be a plug and play option in this Nats bullpen. He is a lower slot guy who relies on a sinker/sweeper combo. At his best, he can look nasty with pitches moving in all different directions. The raw stuff is solid, and he has the ability to rebound and be a middle reliever type again. This is more about grabbing a body in the bullpen though.This is a very interesting trade, and not really how I expected it to go. However, it makes a lot of sense given the Nats lack of bullpen talent throughout the organization. Cruz and Grable should be core pieces of this bullpen for many years to come. Meanwhile, Cebert has the chance to be a number 4 starter if things click.The lack of a true headliner is slightly underwhelming, but the package makes a lot of sense. We have been screaming for bullpen help, and we got it. That bullpen help came through unorthodox means. I am fairly excited about this package, and cant wait to see Cruz throw triple digit heat the rest of this season.

The Cowboys swapped out an injured defensive lineman for an offensive lineman on Sunday. The team announced the signing of Sebastian Gutierrez to their active roster. Defensive end Charles Snowden was waived with an injury designation to open a spot for Gutierrez in Dallas. Gutierrez was released by the Patriots last month. He spent part of the 2025 preseason with the Browns and was on New England's practice squad during the regular season. He has appeared in two regular season games since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2022. Snowden will revert to injured reserve if he goes unclaimed. He was previously suspended for the first three games of the regular season for a Personal Conduct Policy violation.

Jul 31, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Boston Red Sox center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela (3) celebrates a win with shortstop Andruw Monasterio (32) after defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-4 at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectHappy Sunday, Red Sox nation. Can you believe we get to watch Red Sox baseball? Theyre the hottest team in baseball right now and going for a sweep of the villains of the league, the Los Angeles Dodgers. Its Jake Bennett vs Emmett Sheehan, in what will hopefully be a great showcase of what the Red Sox are doing to a national audience.That brings me to my next point, which is: what the Red Sox have done over the last month or so is what we should be talking about. The trade deadline is coming up, there are moves to be made, and speculating about them is fun, so go right ahead on that front. What I dont care about is the upcoming CBA negotiations and how the Tarik Skubal trade affects that. Thats not for another 3 months. Talking about labor stoppages and economics is boring. Talking about a baseball team going on an insane hot streak is fun. Sports are fun! Dont lose sight of that. Watch a rookie starting pitcher throw to a lineup full of all-stars and enjoy it. Watch Ceddanne Rafaela go nuclear at the plate and make diving catches in the field without worrying about if theres a salary cap coming. Were playing great baseball right now, and thats whats important.Sorry for being preachy; I spent too much time reading Twitter this morning, and I think were all losing the plot a bit.7:20 pm on NBC and Peacock and probably the radio too.LineupsReady for Sunday Night Baseball! pic.twitter.com/WUnM0lUang Red Sox (@RedSox) August 2, 2026Today's #Dodgers lineup vs. Red Sox: pic.twitter.com/st4XfV9zB2 Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 2, 2026

Said yes; personal terms agreed Fabrizio Romano drops transfer development amid Bradley Barcola talksPSG are set to test the waters at Ajax with a package deal worth around 45m [38.5m] for Mika Godts.DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL EMPIRE OF THE KOP APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ONAPPLE&GOOGLE PLAYFabrizio Romano reports on X (formerly Twitter) that the Ligue 1 Champions have already secured personal terms with the Belgian winger.Luis Enriques men are looking to bolster the options in the forward line amid reported talks with Liverpool over the potential sale of Bradley Barcola.PSG going big on forwards amid Mika Godts talksMika Godts, Ferran Torres, and Maghnes Akliouche PSG arent messing around this summer, are they?And credit to them on moving on so fast after missing out on Yan Diomande, it seems, to Real Madrid.Want more Empire of the Kop coverage? Add us as apreferred source on Googleto your favourites list for news you can trustAlthough it does beg the question as to what on earth Liverpool are doing at a time when they desperately need to reinforce the right wing.We do appreciate that whether or not we sign Barcola will likely have a significant impact on the remaining business we conduct this summer.But it does come across as if our recruitment team doesnt have much peripheral vision in the window, while our European competitors are actively plugging gaps after selling Goncalo Ramos and Kang-in Lee.Why havent Liverpool been looking at Godts?Again, even should PSG be forced into paying Ajaxs ideal asking price for Mika Godts (sitting at 60m [51.3m]), are we seriously saying that Liverpool are so cash-strapped they cant afford to even consider this as a serious option?Look, we get that there are other key areas in the squad that need addressing. The centre-back situation is looking like a joke of colossal proportions and there are rumours flying about that Jeremie Frimpong could be considered a genuine right-wing option for 2026/27. Perhaps that latter point is why were suddenly feeling a little touchy about Liverpools plans for the flanks.READ MORE: That wont help Explosive attacker warned off Liverpool move amid unfavourable comparisonBut if were in such a pathetic state heading into the new season that were considering throwing the Dutchman into the forward line, its probably worthwhile to consider buying an actual winger. Perhaps evenanywinger, regardless of their natural position.Ultimately, Liverpool dont seem to mind that theyre stacked to high hell with naturally left-sided wingers anyway. And Godts can, technically, file out on the right side, even though hes primarily featured on the left for Ajax in two consecutive campaigns.Better to see a competent winger, though, surely, on the right as part of Andoni Iraolas array of flank-swapping wide men than a fullback shunted up to the pitch when were limited in the right-back department.On the plus side Bradley BarcolaRight, onto more positive mattersWed have to suggest that PSGs clear interest in Mika Godts does at least indicate that the Champions League holders are preparing for life without Bradley Barcola.We certainly cant imagine the Frenchman will be keen staying put and competing for minutes in a left side also containing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and the Belgian wide man.More Stories / Latest NewsSaid yes; personal terms agreed Fabrizio Romano drops transfer development amid Bradley Barcola talks August 2, 2026 23:19Forget Wirtz: Trey Nyoni will drop jaws with sensational pass in Liverpool vs Leeds August 2, 2026 22:21Jamie Carragher disagrees with Sky Sports Bradley Barcola tweet amid Liverpool negotiations August 1, 2026 20:47

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 21: Justin Wrobleski #70 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws a pitch in the fourth inning during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on July 21, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesA lot of attention will be paid on Monday to the Major League Baseball trade deadline, with comes at 3 p.m. PT. But the Dodgers also have a game on Monday, opening a road trip against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.Its a battle of southpaws in the opener, with Justin Wrobleski going for the Dodgers and Matthew Boyd on the mound for the home team.Monday game infoTeams: Dodgers at CubsBallpark: Wrigley Field, ChicagoStart time: 5:05 p.m.TV: SportsNet LARadio: AM 570 (English), KTNQ 1020 AM (Spanish)

HOUSTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 02: Yordan Alvarez #44 of the Houston Astros hits a two-RBI double in the seventh inning against the Texas Rangers at Daikin Park on August 02, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesNobody gets off the mat like the Houston Astros. On July 19, the Astros looked to be dead in the water. Swept at home by the Baltimore Orioles, losers of 7 of 9 and 7 games under .500, it looked the magic had finally run out on Houston. Wrong. Picking themselves up by the bootstraps yet again, the now first-place Houston Astros (58-55) continue to score runs late and took down the Texas Rangers (55-57) 7-3 at Daikin Park, completing the 3-game sweep and winning the season series 9-4 and winning the Silver Boot for the 10th consecutive season. Houston has now won 6 straight and 11 of their last 12 games. The Astros got on the board first this afternoon in the bottom of the third when Jose Altuve hit a comebacker off the foot of Rangers starter Kumar Rocker. Rocker looked like he hackey-sacked the ball off his foot. Yordan Alvarez would score on the play and give Houston a 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the 4th, Jeremy Pena drilled his 13th HR of the season, a 2-run shot to left that drove in Cam Smith to give the Astros a 3-0 lead. In the top of the 5th, the Rangers would get within a run. Evan Carter would single to right to drive in Brandon Nimmo, although Carter would be cut down by Christian Vazquez trying to advance to 2nd after the throw home. That would prove to be a big out as the next batter, Ezequiel Duran, singled to left to score Jake Burger. Carter could have potentially scored the tying run on that play if he had safely reached 2nd the play before. The score would be 3-2 Astros as the top of the 5th ended. Peter Lambert again gave the Astros a solid performance. He went 5.2 IP allowing just 2 runs on 3 hits, 2 walks and 8 strikeouts. Lambert threw 46 of his 83 pitches for strikes, including 16 swings and misses. In the top of the 7th, the Rangers would tie the game at 3 when Brandon Nimmo led off the inning by hitting his 11th HR of the season off Astros reliever Steven Okert. After the HR, Okert allowed a single by Jake Burger, who was advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Evan Carter. Joe Espada made the call to go to Bryan Abreu (W, 3-3) to slam the door with a runner on 2nd and 1 out.Abreu would strike out 2 of the next 3 batters to end the inning with no further damage. The final out was a called third strike on pinch hitter Nicky Lopez on a pitch that appeared to be slightly low, but the Rangers were out of ABS challenges. Furious over the strikeout call, both Rangers manager Skip Schumaker and hitting coach Justin Viele got ejected for arguing the called third strike.In the bottom of the 7th, the Astros would respond, and take control of the game. Christian Walker led off the bottom of the 7th with his 22nd double of the season off Rangers reliever Tyler Alexander, who had just entered the game. Taylor Trammell (12, 2BB, HBP, phenomenal catch in deep CF) followed with a walk. After Jose Altuve bounced into a fielders choice that forced Walker at 3rd, Cole Winn would replace Alexander on the mound for Texas. Cam Smith greeted Winn with an RBI single to score Trammell to give the Astros a 4-3 lead. After a walk to Nick Allen, LaMonte Wade Jr. would pinch-hit for Christian Vazquez and deliver an RBI single to drive in Altuve and increase the lead to 5-3. Following a Jeremy Pena strikeout, it was Yordan time. The front-running MVP candidate laced a 2-run double to right, scoring Smith and Allen. Alvarez 24th double of the season gave the Astros a 7-3 lead. Alvarez finished the game 45 with a run and 2 RBI. He is now batting .330 and has a 1.092 OPS. He leads the majors with 35 HR and leads the AL with 84 RBI.Bryan King (0.2 IP, H, K) would start the top of the 8th before eventually giving way to AJ Blubaugh (S,1). Blubaugh pitched the final 1.1 innings without allowing a baserunner and struck out 1 for his first career save.The Astros are 3 games over .500 for the first time since April 4, when they were 6-3. It matches their high water mark for the season. The Astros lead the AL West by 2.5 games. Tomorrow, Houston begins a 3-game series with the Toronto Blue Jays. Probable Starters:Monday: Cristian Javier (1-1, 7.17) vs. Shane Bieber (2-2, 5.74)Tuesday: Hayden Wesneski (1-0, 4.76) vs. Trey Yesavage (5-5, 3.73)Wednesday: Hunter Brown (3-1, 3.42) vs. Dylan Cease (7-5, 2.41)