Rios' homer drought confirmed after replay review

HOUSTON -- Alex Rios, playing despite a badly bruised right thumb, hasn't hit a home run since July 6. He just missed ending that streak in the first inning on Sunday against the Astros, and couldn't get any help from a replay review either.

Rios, batting against Dallas Keuchel with nobody on and two outs in the first, hit a line drive that hit off the top of the left-field wall and caromed back to the field. Rios ended up at second base with a double.

Manager Ron Washington requested and was granted a crew-chief review. But the review showed the ball landing on the padding above the scoreboard fixed to the wall and just short of the yellow line that marks a home run.

Rios stayed at second and, after Adrian Beltre walked, he scored on a single by Ryan Rua to give the Rangers a 1-0 lead.

Also, a crew-chief challenge in the eighth inning to determine whether Rangers catcher Robinson Chirinos violated Rule 7.13 was upheld.

Astros designed hitter Chris Carter singled in the eighth inning, and Robbie Grossman was thrown out at home plate to end the inning. Astros manager Bo Porter talked to the umpires, who agreed to review the play and see if Chirinos gave Grossman a path to the plate before tagging him out.