ARLINGTON - The Rangers on Friday night handled a task that often overwhelmed them last season.
They carried a lead through the final four innings to defeat Houston, 5-1, at Globe Life Park.
Four relievers followed starter Doug Fister and shut out the Astros for the final four innings. The turning point came in the sixth inning, when Chris Martin and Alex Claudio kept Houston from scoring after it loaded the bases with one out.
The odds were against the Rangers doing this last season. They were the worst team in the American League when it came to protecting a lead for the final four innings.