The Texas Rangers blank the Houston Astros to open the second half of the baseball season
The Texas Rangers have opened the unofficial second half of the Major League Baseball season by inching a game closer to the AL West lead.
Lance Lynn combined with two relievers on a seven-hitter as the Rangers blanked the first-place Houston Astros, 5-0.
Lynn tied a season high with 11 strikeouts while scattering six hits over seven innings. He improved to 12-4, moving him past Lucas Giolito of the White Sox for the most wins in the majors.
Rougned Odor capped the Rangers' four-run first with a two-run double.
The win gets the Rangers eight games behind the Astros, with the Athletics just seven games back.