Astros have won four games in a row and now have a 7 – 1 inter-league record.

WP: Brett Oberholtzer (2 – 1)
LP: Kyle Kendrick (2 – 9)

Gamezone BOX

submitted by Sphinx Drummond

It did not take long for the Astros to get on top. George Springer, lead off the game with a single up the middle and Carlos Correra drove him home with a two run home-run to jump out for a quick 2 – 0 lead. Springer has now hit safely in his last 10 games. Correra is still only 20 years old. Three more Astros homers followed on the night and I do believe that Brett Oberholzter has solidified his claim for a permanent spot in the rotation.

Olberholtzer (ERA 2.73) lasted 6.1 innings allowing three runs on eight hits while striking out five and walking none. It wasn’t great or dominating but it was a good performance, the kind you hope for from a fourth or fifth man in a rotation. Josh Fields finished the 7 inning for Oberholtzer while Joe Thatcher (one batter) and Pat Nechek (two batters) were perfect in the 8th inning. Chad Quall closed the game in the ninth but not before allowing a solo home-run to Carlos Gonzalez.

On the night the Astros hit four home-runs, Carlos Correra’s was his third on the year, which FWIW, puts him one ahead of Robinson Cano’s total. Preston Tucker (3), Chris Carter (12), and Jake Marisnick (5), were responsible for the other three dingers hit Wednesday. The Astros have hit multiple home runs in 26 games this season and in those 26 games, the Astros are undefeated, making it the longest winning streak in multi-homer games in franchise history. The previous record was a 22-game streak, set in 1994. Oh yeah, since it was played in a NL park I should mention, Oberholtzer received a base on balls in his one plate appearance.

The Astros remain in Denver Thursday for a day game that starts at 2:10 pm local time. Collin McHugh (6-3) – 5.08 ERA faces off against Dave Hale (2-1) – 4.56 ERA

Rockies 3, Astros 6
W: Keuchel, L: Bettis, S: Gregerson

MLB recap
Game Zone

There are parts of this team that I may not appreciate as much as some, but there are some parts that I adore. Right now, one of those parts is Mr. George Springer. He’s been on-fire for the past week. Mr. Springer has has hit .342 for the last 30 games, .397 for the last 15 and .483 in the last 7. I think Mr. Springer found his groove.

Between him and Mr. Correa (who is hitting a measly .310 in his first 7 games) I am starting to believe this team could make it to the playoffs and possibly win. But I do so with trepidation.

I think the hamstring injury break that Jose Altuve has been forced to take (and I hope the rest takes care of any future issues he may have) will do good for him. Kind of get his bearings back in order.

Keuchel was what we are used to expecting now. He tossed 5 perfect innings but then made a little swerve in the road and ended up giving 3 runs through 6 and 2/3rd innings. Thatcher came in to finish the 7th inning for him and Neshek and Gregerson sealed the win for him.

Springer and Correa did hog most of the hits (3 a piece) and Tucker, Rasmus and Gonzalez got the other three. Tucker and Rasmus got 4 of the RBIS on the night, but Springer wasn’t going to be left out of those stats either, getting a pair for himself.

Tomorrow the Astros have a day game, hopefully those that are able to attend do not need a boat or raft to get there and they get to see an Astros win.

Astros 10
King Felix 1/3

Gee but it’s great to be back home
Home is where I want to be.
I’ve been on the road so long my friend,
And if you came along
I know you couldn’t disagree.

It’s the same old story, yeah
Everywhere I go,
I get slandered, libeled,
I hear words I never heard in the Bible
And I’m one step ahead of the shoe shine
Two steps away from the county line
Just trying to keep my customers satisfied,
Satisfied.

Paul Simon

submitted by Neil T

It was the second largest crowd of the season.

Here’s HH’s summary of the first inning from the Game Zone: “Astros send 12 men to the plate and score 8 runs in the first, beat the living shit out of King Felix.” Hinch also summarized it, as reported on MLB.Com: “[P]robably one of our best innings of the year.” Well duh.

Altuve led off with a single, Tucker walked, Springer hit an RBI double, Gattis reached on an FC scoring Tucker and Springer on an E1. There was a coaching visit to the mound. Astros 3, King Felix Fish Wranglers 0.

Rasmus walks and then, unbelievably, Correa Kd, and I was there to see it. Valbueno Valbuengoed, leading the club now with Home Runs with 13. Astros 5, King Felix Pond Scum 0.

With one out Carter hit a hard single to left and Castro followed with the second home of the inning. King Felix took his neck tat and went home. Astros 8, King Felix gone. According to the tv guys, it was only the second time Felix had been run in 1/3rd inning. It was very satisfying.

That was pretty much the game, but there was some other stuff of interest. Correa homered in the second, and it was about what you’d expect. The heavens parted and a white dove descended: the usual stuff for Correa. Carter homered in the 5th. Everybody hit (except for Marisnick who had 2 at-bats for Springer), but only Carter had multiple hits with a single and a HR.

And the Sucky Sea Slugs were shut out by Oberholtzer, who allowed only four singles and three walks, and Thatcher in the 9th. Oberholtzer was very good.

The only bad news was Altuve came out in the 2nd after trying to beat a grounder to second. “Hamstring twinge,” according to the TV. If they played like this every night Jim R wouldn’t have to put up with our bitching.