Isaac Paredes HR lifts Astros past Rangers 4-3 after Texas' Jack Leiter loses no-hit bid in 7th
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Isaac Paredes hit a go-ahead, three-run homer off reliever Robert Garcia in the eighth inning after Texas rookie Jack Leiter lost a no-hit bid in the seventh, and the Houston Astros rallied for a 4-3 victory over the Rangers on Sunday.
Leiter gave up Yainer Diaz's solo homer with two outs in the seventh as Houston trimmed its deficit to 3-1. The 25-year-old right-hander was replaced after consecutive soft singles from Jake Meyers and Cam Smith to start the eighth.
Texas reliever Chris Martin came on for Leiter but threw just one pitch before leaving with what the team said was right shoulder discomfort.
Lefty Robert Garcia (1-2) got two outs before Paredes' drive — his seventh homer — barely cleared the wall and the glove of a leaping Wyatt Langford near the foul line in left.
Josh Hader struck out two in a perfect ninth for his 11th save as the Texas rivals split a four-game series.
Houston left-hander Framber Valdez (3-4) opened with three perfect innings in his first meeting with the Rangers since losing a no-hitter with two outs in the ninth on the same mound last August.
The Rangers started the fourth with consecutive singles from Sam Haggerty, Langford and Josh Jung, who drove home Haggerty in a three-run inning for Texas.
Key moment
Jonah Heim hit a deep drive to right-center with two outs and two on in the eighth with Texas trailing by a run, but Meyers ran it down on the warning track.
Key stat
Leiter, the son of retired major league pitcher Al Leiter, pitched into the eighth for the first time in 13 big league starts over two seasons.
Up next
Houston rookie LHP Colton Gordon (0-0, 6.23 ERA) is set for the opener of a series at Tampa Bay on Monday. Texas lefty Patrick Corbin (3-2, 3.35) is set for the opener at the New York Yankees on Tuesday.
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
2026 MLB Free Agent Signings, Trades: Giants, Cubs, Nats, Reds Add Pitchers
MLB Free Agency Rumors, Buzz: Blue Jays Finalize Deal With Tyler Rogers
3 MLB Free Agent Fits for Los Angeles Dodgers After Signing Edwin Díaz
3 MLB Free Agents New York Mets Should Target After Quiet Winter Meetings
What's Next: How Top MLB Signings and Trades Affect New Teams, Free Agency
Way-Too-Early 2026 MLB Power Rankings: How Teams Stand Before Winter Meetings
What are the 100 best athlete nicknames of all time?
How the Dodgers Wooed Longtime Mets Closer Edwin Díaz: ‘I’m Looking to Win'
Ranking the 10 best first basemen in MLB for 2025
2026 MLB Free Agent Signings, Trades: Giants, Cubs, Nats, Reds Add Pitchers
MLB Free Agency Rumors, Buzz: Blue Jays Finalize Deal With Tyler Rogers
3 MLB Free Agent Fits for Los Angeles Dodgers After Signing Edwin Díaz
3 MLB Free Agents New York Mets Should Target After Quiet Winter Meetings
What's Next: How Top MLB Signings and Trades Affect New Teams, Free Agency
Way-Too-Early 2026 MLB Power Rankings: How Teams Stand Before Winter Meetings
What are the 100 best athlete nicknames of all time?
How the Dodgers Wooed Longtime Mets Closer Edwin Díaz: ‘I’m Looking to Win'
Ranking the 10 best first basemen in MLB for 2025
