The Astros, losing to the Rangers for the second straight time and 13th in 15 games this season, are also now 2 1/2 games behind the Orioles and the Tigers in the AL Wild Card race.
Rookie starter Joe Musgrove was knocked out after 4 1/3 innings, allowing five runs on eight hits. The big moment in the game came in the top of the seventh when the Astros, trailing 5-2, loaded the bases with one out against Rangers reliever Keone Kela. But Kela escaped the jam by getting Carlos Correa to ground into an inning-ending double play.