Friday, the Texas Rangers defeated the Houston Astros 12-8. Jonah Heim launched a three-run home run to cap a six-run third inning, and the team added four more runs in the sixth. After Josh Smith walked with the bases loaded and Wyatt Langford singled with an RBI, Heim launched his second home run of the year, a 408-foot blast to right centre field, to give Texas a 7-1 lead.

In the third inning against Astros starter J.P. France, Heim became the sixth batter in a row to reach base. Adolis Garcia received an RBI single from France (0-2) in the first inning, and Evan Carter gave up a run-scoring single to Marcus Semien in the fourth, extending Texas’ advantage to 8-1. The third inning was a forgettable one for France, who in addition to Langford and Heim’s hits also gave walks to Garcia, Smith, and Corey Seager.

That inning, Carter added a single. After a nightmare spin through the Astros’ rotation, France finished with three strikeouts in four innings while giving up eight runs on eight hits and four walks. In the sixth, Garcia added an RBI single. Then, in the inning that followed, Astros reliever Joel Kuhnel allowed two more to be scored by Jared Walsh and Heim with a groundout.

As Texas jumped out to a 12-3 lead, the production appeared unnecessary, but Houston mounted a comeback in the eighth. After Rangers reliever Brock Burke gave up an RBI single to Mauricio Dubon and a two-run double to Jake Meyers, Kyle Tucker launched his second home run of the game and fourth of the season, sparking a five-run explosion. Houston, however, lost for the fourth time in a row after that comeback failed.

Carter scored twice while going 3-for-5. Garcia and Seager both had two hits and two runs scored. Dane Dunning (2-1) started for the Rangers and pitched five innings, giving up three runs on five hits, two walks, and three strikeouts.