How Many O's in Oooof? Jose Altuve, Astros Embarrass Texas Rangers

Jose Altuve homered in five of six consecutive at-bats against the Rangers, including in his first three ABs Tuesday. He's the fourth Astros batter with multiple homers in consecutive games and the first since Richard Hidalgo on Sept. 9-10, 2000.

Altuve is the 18th player with at least three homers in a game against Texas and the first since the Orioles' Pedro Severino in 2019.

Back-up catcher Austin Hedges is the first position player in Rangers history to pitch in consecutive games. And he's actually been more effective than most of the regular bullpen arms. He pitched 2/3 scoreless innings in Monday's loss and allowed two hits in a scoreless inning on Tuesday.

Nathan Eovaldi lasted only 1 1/3 innings and 35 pitches. He allowed four runs on five hit and a walk. Jose Altuve led off with a homer in the first and ended Eovaldi's night with solo homer in the second.

During a 27-pitch first inning, the first seven Astros reached base.

It was Eovaldi's first start since July 18 and second since the All-Star break. He was placed on the injury list on July 30 (retroactive to July 27)

In his last start before going on the IL, Eovaldi held Tampa Bay scoreless over six innings.

Corey Seager's team-leading 63 extra-base hits are the most by a Rangers batter through 94 games in franchise history. The previous record was 58 by Juan Gonzalez in 1996. Seager's 61 homers, including two on Monday, since joining the Rangers before last season are the most by a shortstop in that span. The Brewers' Will Adames is the next-closest with 53 homers.

Rangers right-hander Max Scherzer (12-5, 3.55) faces Astros right-hander Justin Verlander (10-7, 3.34) in the series finale at 7:05 p.m. Wednesday.