Astros rookie starter picks up second win and first complete game
WP: McCullers (2 – 0)
LP: Gonzalez (5 – 4)
submitted by Sphinx Drummond
Backed-up by three solo home runs Lance McCullers was all the Astros needed on the mound Wednesday night. The rookie right-hander allowed only four hits and no walks, struck out 11 batters, and went the distance for his first complete game and second major league victory. After surrendering a single with two outs in the ninth, manager A. J. Hinch made a mound visit to check on the status of his young pitcher, to see if he had enough left in the tank to finish the game. Lance assured him he did. And he was right.
All the Astros runs were supplied by solo home runs, two by Chris Carter ( 9 & 10 ), who has climbed above the Mendoza line, and one by George Springer ( 8 ). In the process of smacking two dingers Carter increased his RBI total to 29 putting him ahead of Altuve for second most on the team. Gattis leads with the team with 36 RBI.
Baltimore starter Miguel Gonzalez struck out eight and allowed just four hits, in 6 2/3 innings as the Orioles dropped their fifth straight.
The Astros are off to the best start in franchise history with an American League-best 34-20 record. With Jose Altuve’s average slipping, all the Astros regular hitters are now batting in the .200s except Valbuena who is still hitting below .200. The bullpen got another valuable night off.
Thursday’s game is a businessman’s special with a 2:10 pm CST Baltimore sends Wei-YinChen (1-4, 3.21 ERA) to face off against Dallas Keuchel (7-1, 1.76 ERA) and if Keuchel is up to task, maybe the bully gets another day off.
Attendance – 20305
Game Time – 2:14
Temperature – 84