The offense wasn't anything to write home about, but Martin Perez was. Perez threw 8 shutout innings in which he induced four double play grounders, which gives him nine in his last two starts.

With the exception of Tanner Scheppers 5-run inning yesterday, the Rangers didn't give up any other runs to the Astros. If the offense does manage to finally come around -- rather, if the Rangers aren't using replacements for 3/4 of the infield as they were after a quick ejection of Elvis Andrus in the 3rd inning -- we might see something a bit closer to what we expected heading into the season.

Colby Lewis will return to the mound for the Rangers for the first time since 2012 tomorrow, and Adrian Beltre has been placed on the 15-day DL to help make room for him. The Rangers are suddenly in a better position as far as the rotation is concerned, and when Matt Harrison returns, the Rangers will have Darvish, Perez, Harrison, and Lewis, and will fill the 5th spot with whoever has the hot hand, dependent on the current needs of the bullpen.

Up next, a four-game series against the Seattle Mariners.