Rangers fans making noise in Houston

HOUSTON -- One fan's tweet that appeared on the Minute Maid Park screen during Saturday night's game referred to it as "Arlington Stadium South."

That's what the Astros are up against this weekend, as a horde of Rangers fans have trekked down I-45 to see the Silver Boot series in Houston. Though the influx of red and blue has provided an attendance boon, it's flooded the park with cheers against the home team.

"I think it's obvious. I'm not deaf," manager Bo Porter said. "I don't like it, but I mean, you hear it. Does it affect me? No."

Saturday's paid crowd of 33,322 was the third largest Astros home crowd of 2013. The Opening Night win over Texas in the club's first game as an American League team was the highest attended Houston game this year, with a sellout crowd of 41,307 on hand.

While it may not please Astros players or coaches, the Rangers' following does contribute to a more lively ballpark atmosphere.

Porter, also a longtime Houston resident, played for the Rangers in 2001 and remembers when there was no room for Rangers fans in Minute Maid because of the Astros' success last decade.

"It definitely can change," he said. "Just win a little."

In fact, Porter said he had a loftier goal than simply diluting the presence of the road teams' fans at Houston games.

"I want to get to the point where not only our fans cheer for us, but when we go on the road, there's fans on the road cheering for us as well," Porter said.