The Houston Astros just keep rolling along this season. They defeated the Texas Rangers easily Wednesday afternoon, 9-2. With the win, Houston improved to 39-24. But this was not some ordinary victory. Astros starter Luis Garcia and reliever Phil Maton accomplished something that no one has ever seen before in the history of baseball.

Garcia and Maton each recorded an immaculate inning pitched. The immaculate inning is when you strike out the side on exactly nine pitches. There have been a total of 106 instances in baseball history of immaculate innings. But never before had two of them happened in the same game. Never mind them happening from the same team in the same game.

In the bottom of the second, Garcia struck out Nathaniel Lowe, Ezequiel Duran and Brad Miller. Then, in the seventh inning, Maton repeated that feat against the same batters.

Garcia was outstanding for the Astros Wednesday. He pitched six strong innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on just four hits. The righty recorded nine punch outs in the start. The Astros starter improved to 4-5, but he has been far better than his record suggests. Garcia has a 3.41 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and has 69 strikeouts in 66 innings pitched.

RECOMMENDED (Article Continues Below)
Reds Rangers prediction, Reds Rangers pick, Reds Rangers odss

Bryan Logan Ā·

Jose Abreu and Alex Bregman looking stern, Houston Astros logo, baseball field in background

Jackson Roberts Ā·

Mariners Rangers prediction

Jake Faigus Ā·

Houston's pitching has been one of the biggest reasons for their success this year. Justin Verlander is pitching like a Cy Young contender, despite not having pitched in almost two years. Framber Valdez is beginning to live up to the hype. Garcia has been very good in the middle of the rotation. Youngster Cristian Javier has also been a nice surprise. The bullpen is strong and the offense is loaded.

MLB should watch out because the Astros are contenders once again.