Zach Cole and Jesus Sanchez came up big after an injury to Yordan Alvarez, and the Houston Astros rallied for a 6-3 win over the visiting Texas Rangers on Monday in the opener of a three-game series with major postseason ramifications.

Alvarez had to leave the game after he slipped on home plate while scoring a first-inning run, injuring his left ankle. The run, one of two that resulted from a throwing error by Rangers pitcher Jack Leiter, gave Houston an early 2-0 lead.

The Astros (82-69) ended the night three games up on the Rangers (79-72) in the race for the third and final American League wild-card position. Houston is now a half-game back of the idle Seattle Mariners (82-68), who lead the AL West.

Alvarez's injury prompted Cole to enter the game in right field, while Sanchez slid

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