McCullers (6-5) allowed two runs and seven hits with six strikeouts.
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Prior to the game, manager John Gibbons had fretted about who he would have available out of the bullpen and could only count on one of his regulars, Jason Grilli. “I’ll get to enjoy that in the offseason”. They’re also 5-0 when Estrada is coming off four days of rest, are 13-3 in his last 16 outings when their opponent scores two runs or less in its previous game, and 8-2 in his lat 10 starts after they allowed two runs or less in their previous game as well.
Blue Jays starter R.A. Dickey earned praise for delivering seven strong innings on the heels of a 14-inning loss on Monday night, especially considering the three-start rough patch Dickey rode into his 23rd start on the season.
“We have been in an offensive lull for a few games now”, Houston manager A.J. Hinch said. “I just tried to throw the ball in the zone, let them put it in play and let our guys do the rest”. Danny Barnes, called up from Buffalo earlier Tuesday, pitched a scoreless eighth inning in his debut on the big stage to maintain the one-run lead.
The Herd lost starting pitcher Drew Hutchison, traded by the Blue Jays to Pittsburgh for left-handed pitcher Francisco Liriano and prospects Resse McGuire (catcher) and Harold Ramirez (outfield).
Evan Gattis cut the lead to 2-1 with an RBI single in the seventh.
Altuve was 3-for-4 and scored a run. The report from the Astros medical people indicated McCullers experienced discomfort in his right elbow and he will be evaluated further on Wednesday. Hinch said Wednesday night that McCullers won’t do any throwing for at least two weeks. Those eight strikeouts tied the 1986 record of the Pirates’ Barry Jones for most strikeouts by a reliever making his major-league debut.
Astros: Houston made two acquisitions, getting RHP Lupe Chavez from the Blue Jays for Feldman and INF/OF Yordan Alvarez from the Dodgers for RHP Josh Fields.
Bolsinger, 28, made six starts for the Dodgers and went 1-4 with a 6.83 ERA.
HOUSTON (AP) – The Houston Astros placed Lance McCullers on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday because of a mild sprain in his right elbow.
RHP Bo Schultz was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo to replace LHP Franklin Morales, who was designated for assignment. Third baseman Luis Valbuena and center fielder Carlos Gomez suffered right hamstring strains in consecutive games against the Yankees, with Valbuena landing on the DL and Gomez returning to the lineup Tuesday clearly hampered.
To make room for Hoyt, Astros righthander Doug Fister will go on paternity leave as he and his wife are expecting the birth of their first child.
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Astros: RHP Collin McHugh (7-7) will look to rebound after being tagged for eight runs on 10 hits in 1 2/3 innings Friday at Detroit.
