Astros 6, Rockies 3: Big First Inning More Than Enough For Keuchel

What Happened

For the third time in four games the Astros jumped out to a big lead in the early innings.  And for the second night in a row a pitcher started the game with five no-hit innings.  The Astros have now won three out of four on the homestand with a run differential of +19.

The scoring started in the first inning.  George Springer and Carlos Correa started the inning with back-to-back singles, and Preston Tucker drove in Springer with one of his own.  With one out Colby Rasmus picked up where he left off last night driving in runs with his 9th home run of the season to make the score 4-0.  Springer provided the final two runs of the night by hitting his 9th homer in the second inning, and his 10th homer in the seventh inning.  It was the second multi-homer game of his career.

Dallas Keuchel had a perfect game going through the fifth inning.  He allowed a leadoff walk and three singles (two of them with two outs) in the sixth inning which alllowed Colorado to score their first 2 runs.  In the seventh inning he walked the leadoff batter again, and almost worked himself out of the inning before allowing an RBI double.  He came out after 6 2/3 innings.  Of a total of 20 outs recorded 13 were of the ground ball variety, as Keuchel is wont to do.  He also recorded four K's.

Joe Thatcher relieved Keuchel for the final out of the seventh, followed by a perfect eighth inning by Pat Neshek.  Luke Gregerson worked around a leadoff single and an error (with some help from a double play) to record his 15th save of the year.

The Astros wrap up this quick series and homestand tomorrow with the Businessfan's Special at 1:10 tomorrow before heading to Denver for two against these same Rockies.  Vince Velasquez makes his second career start versus Chris Rusin.

Fun Facts

Correa and Springer each had 3-hit games tonight.  Something I hope we see for many years to come.

Springer's other multi-homer game was on May 24th of last season in Seattle.

With as much grief as the bullpen was taking recently, they tossed 12+ innings of shutout ball on this homestand.

If we ever get into a "position player pitching" situation, I hope it is Correa.  I think he throws the ball 110 mph from the SS position...

Tweets of the Night

Impressive, sir...

Dallas Keuchel has 25 straight starts of 6+ innings. Longest active streak in majors. @kidkeuchy @astros

— Richard Justice (@richardjustice) June 16, 2015

I laughed, then remembered Hawkins is 3 years younger than me...

LaTroy's career totals would be much more impressive had he not missed three years during World War II.

— Archbishop Deshaies (@HouCounterplot) June 16, 2015

Don't tell Cosart...

Has anyone considered that maybe Domingo Santana is being brought to MMP maybe for a bullpen session? #MarkAppelStyle

— House Of Houston (@HouseOfHouston) June 15, 2015

Y'all stay dry tonight!