Astros 4, Orioles 2: Springer, Valbuena Power The Team To Third Straight Win

The Astros, just like last Thursday night, came in looking for their first series sweep, along with their first three-game winning streak of the year. Lance McCullers took the mound for the third time this season looking to build on he solid outing against the Rangers in a 2-1 loss last week.

McCullers looked a little off in the first inning, walking the first two batters. He was able to get out of the inning with no damage after that with two ground outs and a strikeout. His fastball command was off and on all night, but the only hit he gave up was a first-pitch home run to Mark Trumbo to lead off the second inning. He struck out ten batters, but walked six. Both of those stats contributed to his high pitch count, and he only made it through five innings. A.J. Hinch showed a lot of confidence in McCullers by leaving him in to finish a wild fifth inning. He faced six batters that inning, walking three and striking out three.

The Astros found an old friend on offense tonight, the multi-homer game. Coming into this game Orioles starter Kevin Gausman had given up three home runs all season. He gave up three tonight. George Springer started the scoring with a leadoff long ball to left field. In the second inning with the score tied at one, Tyler White drew a walk to start, and Luis Valbuena hit one out for the third game in a row to take a 3-1 lead. Springer came up in the fifth inning and hit an absolute bomb off of one of the glass panels above the train tracks in left to tack on the fourth run.

The Astros bullpen looked dominant again tonight. Michael Feliz came in to start the sixth and pitched two innings. He gave up one hit and struck out four. Will Harris followed in the eighth with a scoreless frame (of course). Ken Giles came in to close it out in the ninth in his first save situation of the season. He gave up an infield single to start the inning. After two fly outs, Manny Machado drove a ball off the wall in right field to make the score 4-2. A little bit of a nervous moment, but Giles got Chris Davis to ground out and preserve the win.

The Astros will get on a plane tonight and head to the West Coast to take on the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Orange County, California. Mike Fiers will take the mound looking to extend the winning streak to four. He will be facing Matt Shoemaker. See you at 9-ish tomorrow night. I love winning! It's like, better than losing.

Fun Facts

Jose Altuve came into this game with no hits in his last four games. He had never gone five games hitless. He still hasn't as he singled in the third inning.

Jake Marisnick got a hit! (Actually got out at third, then was awarded second base when the challenge showed the ball hit off a seat down the right field line, not the wall.)

The Astros pitchers had 19 strikeouts on Tuesday, 18 yesterday, and 15 today to set the MLB record for strikeouts in a three game series at 52.

Will Harris had his 21st straight scoreless inning.