Nimmo’s 9th-Inning Single Lifts Rangers Past Astros 6-5

Decisive Moment

Josh Jung found himself in a pivotal position with the game tied at 5-5 in the bottom of the ninth inning at Globe Life Field. That situation was resolved when Nimmo delivered a single to center field, driving in Jung to give the Texas Rangers a 6-5 victory over the Houston Astros on Sunday, July 12, 2026.

The win improved the Rangers' record to 49-47, while the Astros fell to 47-51. The final score was confirmed with an attendance of 33,804 fans in Arlington, Texas.

Early Astros Lead

Houston established an early advantage in the second inning. After Lopez singled to right field, Duran scored to make it 1-0. Lopez then advanced to third, and Pederson doubled to right, bringing Carter and Lopez home to extend the Astros' lead to 3-0.

The Rangers responded in the fourth inning when Altuve homered to left center, a 387-foot shot that cut the deficit to 3-1. However, the Astros added another run in the fifth inning when Nimmo tripled to right, scoring Jung to make it 4-1.

Rangers Rally

Texas began chipping away at the lead in the seventh inning. Peña hit a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Wade Jr. to make it 4-2. The momentum shifted further when Paredes singled to center, driving in Dezenzo and Diaz to tie the game at 4-4. Alvarez advanced to second base during the play.

The eighth inning featured back-to-back home runs. Smith homered to left, a 405-foot blast, giving the Rangers a 5-4 lead. In response, Higashioka homered to left, a 366-foot shot, to tie the game at 5-5.

Pitching Performances

The Rangers' bullpen faced significant challenges in the ninth. Robby Ahlstrom allowed two runs on two hits in 0.1 innings, and Peyton Gray gave up one run on one hit with two walks in 0.2 innings, both holding saves. Ben Peoples closed out the game with a perfect inning, striking out one batter.

For the Astros, Josh Hader took the loss after allowing one run on three hits in no innings pitched. Bryan King pitched 2.0 innings, allowing one run on three hits. Steven Okert, Bryan Abreu, and Enyel De Los Santos each pitched one inning, with Okert and Abreu allowing one earned run each.

Cristian Javier started the game, pitching 3.0 innings and allowing three earned runs on four hits with four strikeouts.

For Texas, MacKenzie Gore started, pitching 4.0 innings with one earned run allowed on two hits and four strikeouts. Tyler Alexander pitched 1.1 innings, allowing no earned runs. Cole Winn earned the save with 0.2 innings pitched, allowing one walk and one strikeout. Jacob Latz secured the win with one inning pitched, allowing no earned runs.

The game concluded with the Rangers' walk-off single, marking a dramatic end to a contest defined by late-inning scoring and home runs.

Sources

https://www.espn.com/mlb/game/_/gameId/401816137