ARLINGTON, Texas -- Chris Carter is hitting under .200 this season for the Houston Astros. Still, he is hitting the ball hard -- and deep. Carter led off two innings with home runs, George Springer had one inning-starting long ball and the Astros beat the Texas Rangers 8-3 on Tuesday night, getting a game closer to escaping the AL West cellar. The Astros go for a three-game series sweep on Wednesday after winning only twice in 19 games against Texas last season. They have won four straight overall against their instate rival for the first time since 2002. "Its just nice to beat them this year," Carter said. "They beat up on us pretty bad last year." Carter started the sixth with a 409-foot blast into the seats in left field to make it 4-2. Two innings later, his 17th homer of the season was almost as long -- but just cleared the wall and the outstretched glove of centre fielder Leonys Martin for a 6-3 lead. Nine of Carters last 17 hits have been homers. It was the third multihomer game this season for the .194 hitter. "He hits them in bunches. Lets hope this is one of those bunches," manager Bo Porter said. "On the home run to left field, he was getting extension. Hes a big, strong man and hes hitting the ball well." Jose Altuve had two hits, two stolen bases and a sacrifice fly. The All-Star second baseman matched Houstons franchise record with 28 consecutive stolen bases without being caught while pushing his AL-leading total to 41. He leads the American League with 126 hits and a .341 batting average. Houston went ahead to stay with two runs in the first inning off Phil Irwin (0-1) who was making his Rangers debut. Brad Peacock (3-5) struck out five while allowing two runs and six hits over 5 2-3 innings. Except for 21 days, and none past mid-April in either of their two seasons since switching leagues, the Astros have been at the bottom of the five-team AL West. After taking the first two of this three-game set, they are within a game of fourth-place Texas, which has lost nine of its last 10 games -- and 17 of 20. Springer, the rookie centre fielder, led off the third with his 18th homer -- a 430-foot shot to the hill in centre field. Martin led off the Texas second with his fifth homer before adding a sacrifice fly and a triple. Jake Smolinski had an RBI double in the seventh for his first major league hit. The Astros loaded the bases with no outs in the first, including Robbie Grossman reaching on a strikeout, before Altuve was picked off third base by catcher Chris Gimenez. Jon Singleton and Matt Dominguez followed with consecutive RBI singles. Irwin allowed three runs and six hits in four innings. He made a start in April 2013 for Pittsburgh, which waived him earlier this season. The right-hander was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock earlier Tuesday when right-hander Nick Martinez (left side discomfort) was put on the 15-day disabled list. "It just came down to the first inning ... overthrowing out of the gate," Irwin said. "Just trying to throw it hard, blow it past people. Thats not my game." NOTES: Astros C Jason Castro was out of the lineup for the second straight day because of pain in his left armpit. Castro was able to swing in the batting cage before the game but didnt play. ... Irwin became the 1,000th player in the history of the Washington Senators-Texas Rangers franchise (1961-2014). He was also the 47th player used by the Rangers this season, one more than they used all last year. RHP Roman Martinez made it 1,001 and 48 with two scoreless innings in his major league debut. ... Grossman had an 18-game hitting streak at Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he was before being recalled Tuesday when OF Alex Presley (strained right oblique) was put on the 15-day DL. Grossman, in his third stint in the majors this season, is hitless in his last 28 at-bats for the Astros after going 0 for 4 with a walk. He was the only Houston player without a hit. Custom Nike New York Yankees Jerseys . "First, I would like to offer my deepest and sincerest apologies for any harm I have inflicted on University of Missouri defensive lineman, Michael Sam," the statement read. Custom Nike Baseball Jerseys Store . The 18-year-old Januzaj has made his breakthrough at United this season, including scoring twice in a 2-1 win over Sunderland before the recent international break. His performances have sparked a debate about where his international future lies. https://www.customnikebaseballjerseys.com/.C. Lions. The clubs former starting quarterback, assistant and head coach returned Thursday as its receivers coach. Custom Nike Chicago Cubs Jerseys . The 10-year deal the league and players agreed to that ended the 2011 lockout gave either side the right to opt out after six years. With the league projecting financial growth, there has been speculation that players will take that option in three years, especially since a new national TV contract will be in place by then. Custom Nike Tampa Bay Rays Jerseys . No pretty goals on this night, just get to the front of the net and fight for a chance.FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Dimitri Pattersons suspension will last a few more days. The New York Jets announced Tuesday night that the veteran cornerback who went AWOL for 48 hours last weekend will sit out for the rest of the week, including the preseason finale at Philadelphia on Thursday night, but is eligible to return to the team next Monday. The team also said that additional terms of discipline would not be disclosed. Patterson is likely facing a team-imposed fine. Patterson had been suspended indefinitely on Monday after he left the team last Friday night before the Jets preseason game against the Giants without speaking to anyone in the organization. General manager John Idzik said the team wanted to gather facts before determining how Patterson would be further disciplined. The Jets wouldnt provide details on the reason Patterson gave for what the team called an "unexcused" absence. Earlier Tuesday, coach Rex Ryan said he didnt anticipate a resolution to the situation in the next few days, and also didnt have any additional updates. Patterson, who signed a one-year, $3 million deal in April, might still face an uncertain future with the Jets, particularly after teams make their final roster cuts Saturday. Ryan wouldnt speculate as to whether the Jets could release Patterson before the regular season. "Were not going to comment on what may or may not take place," Ryan said. "We know what the situation is now and were moving forward. Were going to coach the guys that are here and thats what were doing." Patterson was at meetings, a walkthrough and the pregame meal last Friday, but didnt show for the preseason game later that night at MetLife Stadium. He gave the Jets no warning he would leave the team, and didnt speak to anyone in the organization directly until he met with Ryan and Idzik on Sunday night at the training facility. Idzik said Monday that Pattersons suspension would be "brief," but the 31-year-old cornerback would face more discipline once the team had finished looking into the matter. Patterson was not at practice Monday or Tuesday. "I really dont know what to say about that," quarterback Geno Smith said of Pattersons situation. "I just hope hes fine, hope hes OK. As a teammate, as a friend, I want to support him. Obviously, coaches are going to make their decisions on what they think is best for the team. We stand behind that."t; Patterson had been projected as a starter for the regular season, but has been hampered most of the summer by ankle, calf and quadriceps injuries so he has played only in the preseason opener against Indianapolis -- and struggled.dddddddddddd The Jets expected Patterson to test out his leg during pregame warmups last Friday night, and would then determine whether he would play. Ryan acknowledged Patterson wasnt going to start the game, but could have entered with the first-team defence at some point. When asked if the absence might have stemmed from being upset about not starting, Ryan again refused to speculate. Even before Pattersons puzzling absence, the Jets faced a shaky situation at the cornerback position. Dee Milliner, expected to be the teams top cover man in his second season, is still recovering from a high ankle sprain that has his status for the regular-season opener in doubt. Third-round draft pick Dexter McDougle is out for the year with a torn knee ligament. Safety-turned-cornerback Antonio Allen is working his way back from a concussion. Backup Darrin Walls, who could end up starting in Week 1, has a leg ailment but Ryan said "its not a major issue." That leaves Kyle Wilson, Ellis Lankster, LeQuan Lewis and Johnny Patrick as the Jets top healthy cornerbacks. Ryan laughed when asked if he had ever been in a more dire situation in the secondary. "Guys, I coached at New Mexico Highlands," he joked. "I coached in Vegas, New Mexico. But, you know what? Its like anything else. Sometimes, an opportunity presents itself that maybe normally wouldnt. You end up finding a diamond in the rough, so to speak." NOTES: WR Stephen Hill pushed through practice despite vomiting on the field, Ryan said. He sat out Sunday with an illness and was sent home Monday after he vomited. Hill has been the subject of trade rumours because of his inability to be consistent on the field. When asked about an ESPN report that said the Jets looked into dealing Hill this summer, Ryan shrugged. "Well, I didnt try to trade him," he said. "I can comment on me. Again, a lot of times with anything, youll listen to whatever things are thrown out there. This is the first Ive heard of it, though." ... QBs coach David Lee said third-stringer Matt Simms has "improved as much as any guy I think I can ever remember coaching." ' ' '