Score Rangers 2-8 Astros GAME OVER!--- Houston Wins

EVERYBODY ON THEIR FEET!--- Grounder to second. Game over! 

Nelso takes second--- 2 OUTS--- Moreland at bat-
1-2 Fouled straight back. Castro has a word with Bedard.
THE FANS GET LOUD!
1-2 fouled off. 
1-1 too far outside
Strike 1... swinging 

1 OUT Pierzynski at bat-- flyout to left

1 OUT Cruz at bat-- hit to right field
bloop single for Cruz. Bat was sliced in half 

Bedard still in to pitch--- Murphy at bat-- OUT! Maxwell with the leaning grab! 
2-2 count

--------END OF 8TH---------

Ankiel at bat- 1,2,3.... Strikeout

Joe Ortiz on the mound and gives up the run. 

Dominguez at bat Maxwell at 3rd- Kinsler can't barehand ball as he was moving right. ANOTHER RUN!

Maxwell with another triple. Two outs in the inning. Runner on third. 

---------------MID OF 8TH--------

3 OUTS

2 OUTS- Beltre at bat-- Groundout. Inning over!

1 OUT- Berkman at bat-- STRIKE THREE. Can't Check his swing. Nasty curveball.
Biiiiig cut by Berkman. 2-2 the count
2-1 up and in
1-1 pitch too far inside
0-1 strike looking

Dominguez with the backhand! Andrus gets robbed a gain. Out at first

----END of 7th----

2 OUTS- Carter at bat-- Grounder to third. Good hands by Beltre. Out at first
2-1 ball outside. Carter being patient. Ball barely missed outside. 
1-1 ball outside
Outside catches outside corner.  

1 OUT Wallace at bat-- Frasor plays no games! Wallace out looking. 

Altuve at bat- grounder to short. OUT at first

Pitching Change: Jason Frasor in for Derek Lowe

Time to sing God Bless America.

Kinser at bat-- 2 OUTS takes a look down left field-- Ground out to short
Slow breaking ball grounded to short
1-1 fastball outside
1-0 takes a ball down the middle but up.  

Marin at bat 1 OUT- 
Swing and a miss. Martin doesn't even bother to run down first base
Martin stays alive somehow fouling off breaking ball. 
0-2 the count-- Big sweeping breaking ball gets Martin to swing and a miss.  

Cedeno gobbles up Mitch Moreland ground ball. Throws him out at first base.

-----------END OF 6TH------------

3 OUTS as Cedeno is retired.

7-2 Astros!

Rick Ankiel at bat-- 2 OUTS- SCORE THOSE TWO RUNS!! ANKIEL WITH A BOMB TO RIGHT!! 
3-2 Ankiel over aggressive and out in front. Fouls off offspeed pitch...
2-1 Change up in there for a strike
2-0 

PItching Change: Here comes Derek Lowe. 

2 OUTS Runners on 1st & 2nd--- Here comes Washington. Harrison's day is over. 6.2+ and both runners on base are his. 

2 OUTS Runner on first- Dominguez patient enough to walk

1 OUT Runner on 1st- Castro at bat-- blooper... Fly out to center field
Pitch Out. Maxwell not running... 1-0
Mike Maddux to the mound.  

1 OUT Maxwell at bat-- 2 RBI in the game after smacking a triple to left in his last at bat. 
Can't paint the corner. Maxwell walks.
3-1 Change up misses outside
2-1 fastball misses outside
1-1 the count  

Pena at bat-- Ninth K for Harrison--- 
Swings at slider on the floor. 
1-2 the count. He's fighting pitches off and fouling them. 

---------------------MID OF 6th-----------------

Pierzynski with a chance to tie or give Rangers first lead of the year. --- Flyout---
2 OUTS Runners on 1st & 2nd--- Pierzynski at bat- 

PITCHING CHANGE- Erik Bedard in. Norris Out

4-2 the score! Cruz with the big two out hit.

4-1 the score... Cruz at bat-- Tying run at the plate
Fans on their feet!!! up the middle past the short stop. Berkman races home and looks 10 years younger. RBI hit! 
0-2! Slider skins the outside corner, though it looked fairly outside. 
TIME CALLED
Big swing.  0-1 the count

Stros get a run back. Cruz's bobble looking huge right now.

2 OUTS Runners on 1st & 3rd-- Murphy at bat-- single to right field! Base hit and an RBI.

1 OUT-- Runners on 1st & 3rd-- Beltre at bat- I'm Calling It! It will be a 1-run game. Astros leave Norris in the game.
LINER RIGHT TO NORRIS! 2 OUT! Wow! What a grab. Definitely a Web Gem! 

1 OUT Runner on 1st- Berkman at bat--
Texas not making him pay... Okay wait, something's brewing now. Liner to right. Kinsler to 3rd.
1-0 again falls behind a hitter. 

Runner on 1st--- Andrus at bat-- Strikeout Swinging (0-3)
Slider gets him! 
Kinsler runs... hit and run... Foul... 2-2 the count
2-1 slider misses outside
1-1 strike at the knees. Andrus looks at it. 
Pickoff at 1st
1-0 high and tight I suppose is the call on that pitch?  

Kinsler Walks

---------End of 5th-------

2 OUTS Runner on 1st-- Carter at bat (0-2 2Ks looking)
Ball outside 1-0  Popup...

1 OUT Runner on 1st-- Wallace at bat-- Strikeout Swinging
OFFSPEED! Swing and a miss.
2-2 once again tight and inside to Wallace.
2-1 Wallace swinging! Nice and inside. 
Harrison having trouble with the strikezone
2-0 the count 

Altuve fists one into right center-- Base hit.. RBI! 4-0 High fastball. Harrison not fooling anybody.

Cruz bobbled the ball. Might have been eating greasy totones in the clubhouse before the inning. Kinsler then bobbles 

1 OUT Runner on 1st- Cedeno at bat- Single to right. Booted by Cruz. Runs scores
Pickoff at 1st 

1 OUT- Barnes at bat-- 
Barnes walks 

Dominiguez is gone! 7 K's for Harrison. 
Harrison bringing the heat, but a bit out of control. 3-2 the count on Dominguez

---------BUD NORRIS CRUISING THROUGH 5-----

1 OUT Moreland at bat-- OUT

Pierzynski at bat-- STRIKEOUT SWINGING
Swing and a miss at a high fastball!
1-2 the count ... fouls off pitch and barely misses extra bases. 

---HOUSTON LEADS 2-0 after 4 INNINGS---

Play stands--- Castro grounds out softly to first base. 

Umpires reviewing the play.... Maxwell standing on third base.

2-0 Astros on a triple driving in Wallace and Pena... Feet away from being a home run

2 OUTS Runner on 1st & 2nd-- Maxwell at bat-- STAND UP TRIPLE! First runs of the year

2 OUTS- Pena at bat-- singles to the left side where nobody expected him to go!
1-1 the count 

1 OUTS Runner on 1ST- Carter at bat- Strikeout
Popup Moreland chases. Ball well into the stands. 
0-2 strike looking and swinging strike 

1 OUT- Wallace at bat-- Single, Harrison dodgers low liner
Wallace with the base hit up the middle!
0-2 the count. Harrison going for K no. 6. 

Altuve at bat--- Deep drive to center- Out! Martin of Rangers with the grab.

3 OUTS--- MID of 4th---- 

2 OUTS- RUNNER ON 1ST-- Cruz at bat-- Ends up fisting one to center field. 
Had Cruz gotten good wood on that one, it would have been in the seats.  

1 OUT- RUNNER ON 1ST- Murphy at bat-- FLY BALL to Left
2 Pickoff Attempts 
3-2 way outside. Working away from hitters with the hard stuff, Slow breaking stuff inside and low. 
Slider in the dirt! No swing. 2-2 the count now
Norris really taking his time. Murphy a bit impatient at the plate. Cuts at a breaking ball. Foul ball
1-2 way outside 
0-2 the count 

0 OUT RUNNER ON 1ST-- Beltre at bat-- Flyout to left
Beltre skies one to left! He got under it. OUT!
1-0 ball. 

Berkman to leadoff.--- liner to the gap... Berkman with a single

3 OUTS---------END OF THE THIRD----------------

2 OUTS- Ronny Cedeno at bat-- flyout to right
Blooper. Nelson Cruz with the grab. Inning over. 
2-2 Ump says it... up and inside. Ball
1-2 Cedeno swing and a miss 
1-1 the count strike looking and low pitch 

1 OUT Barnes at bat-- Strike out! 
2-1 the count. Swings and misses at 2-0 pitch 

Dominguez at bat-- OUT!
Another foul ball. Fighting as ball was inside in on his hands. 
Quickly 1-2 the count 

3 OUTS----------- MID of 3RD-------------

2 OUTS- Andrus at bat-- (1-0) MAXWELL FLASHING THE LEATHER! Diving grab and robbing Andrus of a single. It was a hit, but umpires called it an out. Ball bounced on the field before getting to the club. 
1-2 the count as Andrus fouls a super high fastball 
Beautiful swing by Andrus as he fouls it off 1-2 the count 

1 OUT- Kinsler at bat-- lined to center. Maxwell with the grab (0-2)
3-1 low and inside 
2-1 ball low
1-1 Out in front. Check swing. It was a strike regardless. Kinsler off balance with swing. 
1-0 ball outside 

Martin at bat-- Strikes out (0-1)
STRIKEOUT! Swing and a miss! 
3-2 after huge swing and ball fouled back. This guy reminds me of Endy Chavez and Gregor Blanco. 
3-1 fastball in on the fists. Strike! 
3-0 Norris out of control and can't find the strikeout missing wide and inside.  

3 OUTS-------- END OF THE 2ND INNING---------------

2 OUTS-- Castro at bat-- swing and a miss! Castro strikes out swinging
2-2 Fastball way inside. Castro dodgers pitch
1-2 change up disappears! Strike swinging
1-1 fastball strike

1 OUT- Maxwell at bat- Liner to 3rd! Stabbed by Beltre. 
2-0 again misses outside
1-0 ball outside 

Pena at Bat-- Strikeout swinging at low change up
Ball inside- 1-2 
Swing and a miss at ball way up high 0-2
Strike looking 0-1 

------ MIDDLE OF THE 2ND-----

2 OUTS Runners on 1st & 2nd- Mitch Moreland at bat- Swing and Miss! Strike 3! Slider gets Moreland swinger. It had a nasty bite.
Pop up. Castro chases. Foul ball- 1-2 the count. Sounded like a broken bat
Strike 1- Outside corner painted! Moreland doesn't swing-- 1-1 the count
Ball 1- Slider in the dirt. Beautiful block by Castro. A lot of trust with that pitch.  

2 OUTS Pierzynski at bat-- BASE HIT
Fisted into left. Opposite field single
Check swing and a miss 0-2. A.J. is off balance. 
check swing foul ball 0-1 

2 OUTS Cruz Walks- Norris seems to have lost control. 

1 OUT Cruz at bat--- Runner on first-- BOOM! Castro guns out Murphy at second. All defense in this one
2-2 count on Cruz as he fights off breaking ball
0-1 the count foul ball past third base 

1 OUT Murphy at bat-- Check swing. WALK---
3-1 the count 

Beltre at bat- Soft liner to third base.

-------------------------- END OF THE FIRST INNING---------------------

2 OUT- Carter at bat-- Strikeout.
Okay maybe I'm wrong--- STRIKE THREE LOOKING! 
Swing and a miss 0-2... Apparently the Astros' plan is if we're going to lose, we're going to lose by swinging away.
Breaking ball for a strike 0-1  

Wallace at bat-- RUNNER ON 1ST ... Thrown out at 2nd... Wallace SWINGS AND MISSES! 
Ball... Altuve runs. Gets caught stealing. Looks like a bad call. Altuve's foot hit the bag. Manager Porter goes out to argue. Altuve was safe, but called out. 
Hacking! Foul 
Swng and a foul ball.  

Altuve first pitch swinging! Base hit! Past diving Adrian Beltre in on the grass. Maybe he won't struggle. 

------ Houston comes to the plate

Lance Berkman gets a huge ovasion! Grounder to short... Gunned out as Cedeno gets it to first

Andrus at bat- STRIKE THREE! Swing and a miss 2 OUTS
Boom! Outside corner strike on fastball
Strike as Andrus swings and misses
Ball outside and low. Looked like a slider.

Kinsler at bat- Fly out to right field 1 OUT
AND THE FIRST PITCH OF 2013 is a Strike!

Baseball is back! The Texas Rangers vs. Houston Astros is the first game on the 2013 MLB schedule. ESPN is broadcasting this game, but for those who can't enjoy the action, welcome to this live blog of the Season Opener between these two teams. First pitch is after 8 p.m. ET. Follow our play-by-play and pitch-by-pitch summer of the first game of the year.

The Astros are in the American League as the A.L. West is now balanced. Before made up of four teams, now, the Astros make it a bit more competitive. This isn't good news for the Rangers as they appear to have dropped off in 2013 following the departure of their main man, Josh Hamilton. Though they are still a great hitting lineup, it will be interesting to see how this group of guys adjusts to the new season.

The Astros really have nothing to lose. They are on a strict budget and are letting their young guys play as they look to rebuild the organization. The Rangers have to prove themselves now that they are also without their veteran Michael Young.

The one good thing the Rangers probably did, which will keep them competitive in 2013 is add A.J. Pierzynski as their catcher. He's a solid and trustful veteran backstop that almost helped the Chicago White Sox land in the playoffs though they lacked a solid group of starters.

Guys like Nelson Cruz, Ian Kinsler and Adrian Beltre will have to remain healthy this season as they will be in charge of leading the office to victory.

Now, let's watch the game. Sit back, enjoy the action as first pitch is soon to launch us into a brand new baseball season.

Refresh the page and scroll to the top of the article for the latest at-bat results and scoring updates.

STARTING LINEUPS!

Houston Astros Lineup
Jose Altuve 2B
Brett Wallace 1B
Chris Carter LF
Carlos Pena DH
Justin Maxwell CF
Jason Castro C
Matt Dominguez 3B
Brandon Barnes RF
Ronny Cedeno SS
Bud Norris SP

Ian Kinsler 2B
Elvis Andrus SS
Lance Berkman DH (Huge ovation)
Adrian Beltre 3B
David Murphy LF
Nelson Cruz RF
A.J. Pierzynski C
Mitch Moreland 1B
Leonis Martin CF
Matt Harrison P