May 1, 2015
Astros 4, Mariners 3
W – Fields (1-0)
L – Elias (0-1
S – Gregerson (5)
If you needed any evidence that A.J. Hinch has a pretty good idea of which levers to pull, you only needed to start watching during the 5th inning of Friday’s game. After Sam Deduno’s four innings of one-run ball, Hinch called upon five of his relievers to finish the game and maintain the 3-1 lead that Deduno left for them. They did a fine job of it as well, allowing only one baserunner and striking out six through the 8th. Four of those K’s belonged to Josh Fields, who fanned every batter he faced.
The bats scattered nine hits but hurt themselves with three double plays. In early season fashion, all of the offense came off of longballs, including a two-run homer by Evan Gattis in the 1st, a solo shot by Marisnick in the 2nd, and a late insurance bomb from George Springer in the 8th. Springer would have driven in Jose Altuve, who had led off the 8th with a single but was erased on a Luis Valbuena GIDP. Altuve had two hits to extend his hitting streak to ten games and his multi-hit game streak to nine, tying the Astros franchise record.
Springer’s dinger proved to be the difference in the game as Luke Gregerson gave up two solo homers in the top of the 9th, including a Pujols-like moonshot to the train tracks in left center by Nelson Cruz. Gregerson then settled down to lock up the save and a 16-7 record for the Astros, which is their best start since 1980.
Collin McHugh (3-0, 2.92) faces off against Taijuan Walker (1-2, 6.86) in Saturday’s game. First pitch is 6:10pm CDT.