Game recap: Hou vs Tex

The 2013 MLB is finally upon us. To kick things off on Opening Night, the Houston Astros played host to the Texas Rangers, in their first game as an American league club.

After serveral solid performances by Bud Norris, Justin Maxwell, and Erik Bredard, the Astros defeated.the Rangers, 8-2, to claim first place in the AL West.

Maxwell's night really got going in the 4th inning, when he broke the scoreless tie, by shooting a triple, off the wall in left field, plating Brett Wallace and Carlos Pena.

Houston added two more runs in the 5th off Rangers starter Matt Harrison, including a Jose Altuve single, allowing Ronnie Cedeno to score. Giving the Astros a 4-0 lead.

Harrison was pulled in the 6th, after 5 2/3 innings, allowing 5 runs, on 6 hits, while striking out a career high, 9 batters.

Houston's starter Bud Norris was in and out of trouble a few times through the first five innings, but couldn't escape it in the 6th, allowing back to back, 2-out, RBI hits to David Murphy and Nelson Cruz, cutting the Astros lead to, 4-2.

Norris had his night end after the Cruz single, allowing 2 runs, on 5 hits, in 5 2/3 innings, on Opening Night.

With a couple runners for Houston in the 7th, Rick Ankiel towered a 3-run HR to right field, off Derek Lowe, to put the Astros up for good, at 7-2.

In the end, the Astros went on to victory for the first time as and American league team, 8-2, over the Rangers. As well as picking up win #4,000 in franchise history.

Erik Berdard earned the save, after working 3 1/3 innings, of effective relief, giving up only one hit.

Some other notables include Jose Altuve, collecting 2 hits and a RBI, in the season opener. Maxwell tripled again in the 8th, then came into score, he was 2-3 in the game, with 2 RBI, and 2 runs, to go along with a couple web gem plays. Lance Berkman returned to Houston, going 2-4, at the plate.

These two teams, will take Monday off, then meet again on Tuesday, when Yu Darvish and Lucas Harrell square off, at 8:10 ET, from Minute Made Park.

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