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Things weren't going well for the Astros in the fifth and sixth innings. Collin McHugh gave up two two-run home runs in the fifth after four scoreless innings. Colin Moran hit a foul ball off his face and exited the game on a chart.
But with one swing of the bat, things quickly turned around for Houston. Marwin Gonzalez blasted a three-run home run to put the Astros up 6-4 and the team didn't look back — winning 8-4 Saturday at Camden Yards.
McHugh looked shaky to start the game, needing nearly 30 pitches to get through the first inning. But he settled in and showed the tools that warrant the Astros not going out and getting another starting pitcher.
For three innings, the only batter he allowed to reach base was by a hit-by-pitch. McHugh hit a wall in the fifth inning, walking Seth Smith to start the fifth. He grooved a 2-0 fastball to Adam Jones, who deposited it into the left field stands. Manny Machado and Jonathan Schoop followed with hits, a single and a home run respectively.
The Astros 1-0 lead after a massive home run by Alex Bregman turned into a 4-1 deficient quickly.
But the Houston offence answered the bell again. Josh Reddick smacked a two-out double the opposite way and raced home on a Yuli Gurriel home run — a play that was reviewed and upheld.
Evan Gattis and Carlos Beltran set the table with singles, then Moran was hit in the face with a foul ball. The Marwin home run followed.
The offence added two more runs on Donnie Hart in the ninth inning. George Springer and Jose Altuve singled to open the frame. Gurriel reached on an error to load the bases. Gattis smacked a sharp line drive to left field, allowing Springer to score. Beltran added a sacrifice fly for a second run.
Francis Martes, Luke Gregerson, and Joe Musgrove combined to pitch 4 1/3 scoreless innings. In total, they allowed one walk and no hits while striking out five.