HOUSTON — Many predicted the Houston Astros would be the worst team in the majors this season.

On opening night, they certainly didn’t look like it.

Rick Ankiel and the Astros made an impressive debut in the American League, trouncing the Texas Rangers 8-2 Sunday night in the major league opener and giving Bo Porter a win in his first game as manager.

“To get a win like that, I think it just brings us all closer together,” Ankiel said. “I know from my standpoint and from ours our big thing is that we want to just continue to keep having fun, and obviously winning is fun. It’s a step in the right direction, and it was good.”

Ankiel launched a pinch-hit, three-run shot for the majors’ first homer this season, Bud Norris pitched well for the win and Erik Bedard threw 3 1-3 scoreless innings for his first career save.

Having switched from the NL in the offseason, the Astros earned their first opening day victory since 2006 and the 4,000th regular-season win in franchise history.

“To come out with a win is perfect,” Astros designated hitter Carlos Pena said. “To be part of it is really cool. To play our rivals here in Texas and to come out on top today, it’s a treat.”

The Astros are coming off consecutive 100-loss seasons and have the lowest payroll in the majors, causing some to even go so far as to say they were trying to lose this season. But Houston opened in style, wearing uniforms that brought back the orange and blue of old-school Astros teams.

Justin Maxwell added a pair of triples and made a nifty catch in center field.