HOUSTON -- The first-place Mariners had jumped out to a big lead over the Royals in Kansas City before the Astros took their first at-bats Tuesday night against the Rangers. If the Astros were going to keep pace with Seattle in the American League West race , the assignment was clear.

The Astros jumped out to a six-run lead through four innings and had to hold on for dear life in the eighth and ninth innings to outlast the Rangers, 6-5 , at Daikin Park to even the season series between the Lone Star rivals heading into Wednesday’s season finale between the clubs.

The Astros remained one-half game behind the Mariners and dropped the Rangers four games behind them in the AL Wild Card race (the Guardians are three behind Houston). The winner of Wednesday’s game between the Astros and Ra

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