Rangers starting pitcher Nick Martinez halted a personal seven-game losing streak during a 6-2 win Sunday at Houston. He allowed two runs on five hits and two walks, while striking out six in five innings.
It appeared early Martinez (2-8) was headed for an eighth straight loss as Houston jumped out to a 2-0 lead after three innings. But Martinez settled down after Jason Castro's two-out RBI single and recorded five strikeouts over the last nine batters he faced.
Martinez, who was 0-7 over his previous 10 starts, won for the first time since May 24.
''He's a strong kid,'' Rangers manager Ron Washington said of Martinez. ''He works every day and he wants to be better. You've got to understand the kid is just out of A ball trying to get big league hitters out. He'll figure it out.''
Martinez is slated to make his next start Friday against the Angels. He has a 1.86 ERA in two appearances (one start) against Los Angeles this season.