Astros drop series to Rangers ahead of All-Star break

The Houston Astros dropped their three-game weekend series against the division rival Texas Rangers but they enter the All-Star break just one game out of the division lead.

Houston (50-46) fell in back-to-back games against Texas (46-50), losing both Saturday and Sunday. But with the AL West leading Seattle Mariners also losing to the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday, the Astros remain just one game behind Seattle for the West's top spot.

Astros third baseman Alex Bregman talked after Sunday's game about how the team has been clicking over the last few weeks.

"I'd say the last three weeks we've been playing well in all three phases and we're a pretty good team," Bregman said.

Since June 19, the day after the Astros dropped their series opener at the Chicago White Sox, Houston is top-three in both batting average and on-base percentage. They have also scored the most runs in that span.

The Astros return to action Friday when they visit the Seattle Mariners.