The Houston Astros still have their sights set on a postseason berth and can take another step toward that goal if they take the series against the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday at Camden Yards.
Advertisement
The streaking Royals shutout the Minnesota Twins 10-0 for their seventh successive victory as they closed to within four and a half games of the Orioles.
SAN FRANCISCO – Madison Bumgarner came to his own rescue with a two-run home run to cap a five-run fourth inning, helping San Francisco outslug NY in the opener of a four-game series. Springer, Gattis and Hernandez each homered as the Astros scored in seven of the nine innings.Houston bounced back from a first inning in which Astros starter Collin McHugh allowed four homers and five runs.
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Chris Tillman wipes his face after issuing a walk to load the bases in the third inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, in Baltimore. “We need some fresh arms up here”, manager A.J. Hinch said. We continue to get contributions from the top of the lineup, bottom of the lineup, middle of the lineup. “It’s a fun offense when we get going”.
Astros: Optioned reliever James Hoyt to Triple-A Fresno and recalled Brad Peacock from the same club.
The Orioles, meanwhile, are in full recovery mode after a 1-4 start to a homestand that began with two losses to Boston.
“It’s pretty tough to cover that many runs the last two nights, ” manager Buck Showalter said. We’ve had a lot of good times and some not-so good times, and this will be one of them. It’s the second time this season Davis has homered in four straight games.
The Orioles have spent 111 of 136 days in first place of the AL East this season, but have struggled since the All-Star break, going 16-17.
History was made on Friday night when the Baltimore Orioles slugged four home runs before they even recorded an out.
Asked the last time he pitched, Flaherty replied, “High school”.
“High school. Wasn’t very good then and still not”, Flaherty said.
Mike Fiers (9-6) had little trouble in his first career appearance against the Orioles. In his last start, McHugh gave up three runs on five hits over 5 1/3 innings in a 4-2 loss to the Blue Jays. “I like to throw fastballs”, the right-hander said. “That’s the big positive coming out of this – probably the only positive you can find. I feel just great being part of it”.
Bregman started the fireworks in the first inning off of Tillman, who was prescribed extended rest because of a sore shoulder. “I trust his honesty with us”.
DETROIT – Andrew Romine walked with the bases loaded and two out in the eighth inning to force home the winning run in Detroit’s victory over Boston.
Astros: 3B Luis Valbuena (right hamstring) was sent back to Houston to have his injury re-evaluated and could be done for the year.
“We’ve been in some uphill battles this year”, Hinch said.
Astros: OF Jake Marisnick got the night off as he tries to work through a sore groin. “I am not going to put him out there if he is not 100 percent”, Hinch said. Despaigne is 1-7 with a 3.48 ERA in 15 starts with Norfolk. He gave up two runs, walked two and struck out five in a 97-pitch outing.
Red Sox (69-53) at Tigers (64-59), 1:10 p.m. ET: Eduardo Rodriguez (2-5, 5.11 ERA) was awful to start the season but after being sent to the minors, the Boston southpaw owns a 2.51 ERA in his last eight starts.
Advertisement
Elsewhere in the majors, Choi Ji-man of the Los Angeles Angels went 1-for-3 against the Seattle Mariners in Angel Stadium of Anaheim.
