The Rangers dealt them a 7-3 loss at Daikin Park in the opener of the teams' final series before the All-Star break, one that produced the Astros' longest skid of their first half

Since returning from the IL in June, Lance McCullers Jr. hasn't pitched particularly well. Even in his start against the Dodgers, it took a few innings before he settled into a groove. Ironically, he walked a total of 12 hitters (four in each game) in his last three starts before this one against the Rangers on Friday evening.