The Houston Astros have gotten the better of this series so far as they have taken the first 2 games behind superb pitching. He struck out seven and walked none.
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Should he not start the All-Star game, Keuchel will certainly still find himself in Cincinnati’s Great American Ball Park on July 14. Altuve slugged a solo home run to left field off of Joe Blanton in the third inning, padding his club’s lead to 3-0 at the time. George Springer (.263, 42 Rs, 13 HRs, 29 RBIs, 13 SBs) went 1 for 3 yesterday with two runs, one home run, and two RBIs. After another Valbuena infield single, and another walk, Preston Tucker and Domingo Santana delivered back-to-back RBI singles to make the score 5-0 and chase Blanton after 3 2/3 innings. Pat Neshek allowed one hit in the ninth.
The Astros will test themselves in a battle of division leaders when they welcome the Kansas City Royals for the opener of a three-game series on Monday. The Astros have taken the first two games in a matchup of teams with the best records in the American League.
The two teams will meet again for three games in Kansas City from July 24-26.
NOTES: Astros RHP Scott Feldman threw a three-inning simulated game against OF Jake Marisnick and 1B Jon Singleton and is prepared to depart for a rehab assignment.
Jeremy Guthrie did his part on the mound, limiting Oakland’s struggling offense to two runs and striking out a season-high seven over six solid innings. By keeping the bases clear in advance of those late-inning hits, Keuchel easily limited damage and, as usual, the groundball out proved his most effective weapon. Royals manager Ned Yost was not sure about Hosmer’s return, but was certain it will not be in the series against Houston, which will end on Wednesday.
Astros: OF Colby Rasmus was out for the fourth straight game because of a skin infection on his left arm caused by a bug bite. Nathan Karns (4-4) surrendered nine hits in six innings in Tampa Bay’s sixth loss in eight games, though he managed to limit Cleveland to two runs.
The galloping Gattis now has four triples this season, which leads the team. He’s won four straight decisions since losing at Minnesota on May 26.
Perez took much less time to reach his big number, getting there in his fifth season with a homer in the eighth inning off Edward Mujica that provided insurance for the Royals.
“I felt like my first two steps were good and then after that my legs just gave out and into the wall I went”, Cain said.
Blanton yielded five hits and five walks after giving up just seven hits and no walks over 11 innings in consecutive wins against St. Louis and Milwaukee.
BALTIMORE (AP) Mitch Moreland hit two of the Rangers’ four home runs off Bud Norris, and Texas got another winning effort on the road from left-hander Wandy Rodriguez in an 8-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Monday night. Michael Brantley also had three hits, including a RBI single, and Jason Kipnis drove in a run off rookie Nathan Karns (4-4) with one of his three hits.
Volquez, who turns 32 on Friday, is a flawless 6-0 lifetime against the Astros with a 2.09 ERA in eight starts.
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At-bats don’t always turn on the last pitch; sometimes an at bat is decided when a hitter has his chance and misses it. He might still be at the plate, but the odds have turned in the pitcher’s favor.
