Astros 8, Rockies 5: Valbuena, home runs lift Astros

Vincent Velasquez had a few mistakes during Tuesday's game, but like many times this season the Astros offense left a large margin for error -- winning 8-5.

Velasquez wasn't able to get through five innings in his second career major league start. He gave up five runs on seven hits and two walks, striking out seven. The biggest trouble came in the second and fifth innings, where he gave up three extra-base hits in the innings.

The Rockies scored three in the second after Nolan Arenado singled to lead off the inning as part of his stellar day at the plate and the field. Michael McKenry tripled home Arenado, and the nine-hole hitter DJ LeMahieu doubled home a second run. Charlie Blackmon singled home a third run.

Velasquez struck out Corey Dickerson to end the inning.

In the firth, things were going well for Velasquez and the Astros. Jake Marisnick tracked down a deep fly ball by Corey Dickerson and threw out Charlie Blackmon trying to tag up and go to second. But Troy Tulowitzki singled on a 3-2 count. Astros pitching coach came out to talk Velasquez, who was at 97 pitches, in hopes of settling him down to get his first career win.

Carlos Gonzalez wouldn't have anything of that. Gonzalez, took the sixth pitch he faced and knocked it out of the park -- knocking Velasquez out of the game. Will Harris and the bullpen came and shut the Rockies out.

As for the Astros offense, Jose Altuve announced his presence with an RBI single in the first. Altuve returned ot the lineup after missing a few days with a hamstring injury.

Luis Valbuena hit the first of his two home runs on the day in the second, sneaking a ball just inside the Crawford Boxes wall.

The Astros blew out game in the third. With two on, Hank Conger laced a pitch to left for an RBI single. Domingo Santana followed with his first major league hit to score another run. Valbuena cleared the bases with his second home run of the game. His blast was a titanic shot into the Astros bullpen, and Valbuena knew it as he skipped out the box.

The icing on the cake, Conger hit a home run in fifth.

Houston now heads to Colorado to face the Rockies for two more, starting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday.