Astros 5, D-Backs 1: Keuchy, Carter stomp Arizona

Dallas Keuchel threw eight innings of one-run ball as the Astros bested the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday night at Minute Maid Park. The lefty, whose ERA now sits at 2.38, tossed 101 pitches while taking advantage of five runs of support, including two solo homers by Chris Carter.

Throughout the night, Keuchel displayed his usual mix of command and groundouts. In fact, 15 of his 24 outs came via grounders. Moreover, the 26-year-old walked just one batter all night. All in all, the Diamondbacks mustered only four hits against the lefty, their lone run coming on a fourth inning homer by second baseman Aaron Hill. With Chad Qualls delivering a one-two-three ninth inning, it would be Arizona's lone run of the night.

On offense, the Astros did most of their damage against D-Backs starter Brandon McCarthy. They jumped to an early lead on an RBI single by Jason Castro in the first inning, a moment dampened by Jonathan Singleton getting thrown out running to third base. However, Singleton contributed an RBI of his own with a groundout in the third, driving in Jonathan Villar and making the score 2-0. The next Houston runs would come on Carter's dingers to left and right field, both off McCarthy. A seventh inning sac fly by George Springer drew the score to 5-1, where it would stand.

Wednesday's victory brings the Astros' record to 30-37. The team will play for a sweep of the two-game series tomorrow night at 7:10 CST. Scott Feldman will look to bounce back from some rough starts as he faces D-Backs lefty Wade Miley.

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Notes

--The game lasted only two hours and 22 minutes.

--Wednesday marked a rare day off for José Altuve, who, per the Houston Chronicle, is recovering from an oblique strain suffered during Tuesday's matinee in Phoenix.

--The contest saw the return of George Springer, who had missed a couple of games with knee soreness.