Tempers flared and the benches cleared on Saturday night as the Astros and Rangers squared off in a game eventually won by Texas, 7-6. With the Rangers ahead 5-4 as the game moved to the top of the ninth, harsh words between Astros catcher Hank Conger and Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor brought both teams charging onto the field, ready to ignite the in-state, in-division rivalry.
The Astros scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, but left runners stranded on second and third. As the ninth opened, Odor stood outside the batter’s box taking practice swings.