The month of September has not been kind to the Astros, who suffered their 10th loss this month in blowout fashion despite having ace Dallas Keuchel on the mound.
Houston seemed primed to regain its lead the AL West lead from the Rangers, but Keuchel surrendered nine runs on 11 hits in just 4 2/3 innings in a 14-3 loss. Those are the most runs the AL Cy Young candidate has allowed in a game all season.
MORE: Every team's worst September collapse | Full standings
The Rangers used 16 hits, including a season-high five home runs, to capture their sixth straight win against the Astros. Prince Fielder hit a solo home run in the third and a three-run, upper-deck blast in the sixth, giving him 21 for the season.
The Astros opened the week with a 1 1/2-game lead over the Rangers in the division, but Texas has turned the tables on its division rival and now leads by 1 1/2. It will go for a series sweep Thursday.
Star performers
American League
Blue Jays catcher Russell Martin hit a two-run double and a two-run homer in the Jays' 9-1 win over the Braves. Toronto remains three games ahead in the AL East as the Yankees defeated the Rays.
National League
With his home run in the seventh inning against the Phillies, Nationals All-Star Bryce Harper became the sixth different player to hit 40 home runs in a season at age 22 or younger. He finished the game 2 for 5 as the Nats clobbered the Phils 12-2. With a Mets loss to the Marlins, the Nats now trail the NL East leaders by 7 1/2 games.
Highlights
Pirates outfielder Starling Marte fielded a single in the left-field corner and fired a one-hopper to second, throwing out the Cubs' Tommy La Stella in the 11th inning. The Cubs would get the last laugh, however, topping the Bucs in 12 innings to narrow Pittsburgh's lead in the wild-card race to three games.
Angels starter Jered Weaver was upset with Mariners slugger Kyle Seager for asking for more time. After an exchange of words, Weaver hit Seager with the next pitch and was promptly ejected.
A look ahead
Thursday's top games (all times Eastern):
Astros (77-69) at Rangers (78-67), 8:05 p.m.: Looking to avoid the sweep, the Astros give Lance McCullers (5-5, 3.10 ERA) the ball in the biggest game the rookie has pitched this season. Coming off a two-hit shutout, Colby Lewis (15-8, 4.45 ERA) toes the rubber for the Rangers, who are seeking their 12th win of the season against the ‘Stros.
Angels (73-72) at Twins (75-70), 8:10 p.m.: The Twins may be the biggest beneficiaries of the Astros slipping in September, but they will have to hold off the Angels in a four-game set that begins Thursday. Tommy Milone (8-5, 3.73 ERA) will take the hill for the Twins, while Hector Santiago (8-9, 3.21 ERA) will look to remain effective vs. the Twins, against whom he has a 3.25 ERA in 27 2/3 career innings.