ARLINGTON, Texas (Reuters) - The Houston Astros scored two late runs to defeat Texas 5-3 on Thursday and avoid a season sweep at the hands of the Rangers.
Hunter Pence hit a tiebreaking homer off Texas reliever Jason Jennings in the eighth and Michael Bourn added an RBI triple in the same inning to put Houston two runs clear in the interleague game.
The home run was a special one for Pence, who grew up in Arlington, Texas.
"Every time I play here, it's a little special because I have the memory of coming here as a boy and growing up watching from the stands," Pence told reporters. "It's something special every time I play on this ball field."
The American League West-leading Rangers (37-28) advanced runners to scoring position in the eighth and ninth, but could not bring them home.
Houston (30-34), who lost their first five games against Texas and languish at the bottom of the National League Central, started to claw their way back from an early 3-0 deficit through RBIs from Humberto Quintero and Carlos Lee in the fifth and sixth.
A passed ball in the sixth allowed Miguel Tejada to tie the game at 3-3.
Houston pitcher Brandon Backe allowed three runs over four innings in his first start of the season before four relievers combined to finish the game.
Backe had made four relief appearances after returning from a rib injury that kept him out most of the year.
"My mind was a little bit different," said Backe of his return to starting duties.
"I obviously was able to think about it and go over the hitters in my head before I actually got on the field."
Texas took an lead early through solo home runs from Michael Young and Chris Davis.
Rangers starter Vicente Padilla, who entered the game having won four of his last five starts, allowed three runs over six innings and took a 'no-decision'.
(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by Peter Rutherford; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
Source: Reuters
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