Astros beat Rangers to take over first in American League West

HOUSTON — As surprised as many around baseball will be to wake up on Aug. 1 and see the Astros in first place in the American League West, those who have paid attention over the last decade should have known better.

After falling 6 1/2 games out of first place when they were 20-31 on May 21, the Astros will begin the month of August in the same place they’ve been in seven of the previous…