The bullpen held!
It wasn’t without trepidation. All-world closer Josh Hader turned a 3-0 ninth-inning lead into a nail-biter when he allowed an earned run on a walk, a wild pitch, and a single. But pinch-hitter Ezequiel Duran hit a 105 MPH scorcher at sure-fielding Alex Bregman, who flipped to Jose Altuve to Jose Abreu for a game-ending double play.
The bullpen held.
And no, the Martians did not invade, although the Astros remain tied for last with the A’s.
Astros starter Ronel Blanco flirted with his second consecutive no-hitter, leaving the Rangers hitless for 5.