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After getting hit hard by Kansas City Tuesday night, the Astros responded in a big way as Brad Peacock threw seven scoreless innings and Houston shutout the Royals 9-0 Wednesday night in Minute Maid Park.
Brad Peacock (3-2) struck out a career-high 12 Royals and only allowed three hits in seven innings. Josh James came on in the eighth and struck out five while not allowing a hit in the final two innings.
spreading his wings through 6. #TakeItBack pic.twitter.com/WU6RZvmkrR
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 9, 2019
Peacock didn’t have to wait long for some run support as George Springer led off the first inning with his 12th home run of the season to left field. It was Springer’s 28th lead off home run of his career and 133rd overall.
Leading from the top. @GeorgeSpringer's 12th of the year. #TakeItBack pic.twitter.com/YMtaUsnxXE
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 9, 2019
Springer’s blast to left wouldn’t be the only home run of the night for Houston. Michael Brantley hit a pair of home runs, a two-run blast in the third, and a solo shot in the fourth, while Carlos Correa sent a ball past the center field wall in the third. Houston tagged Kansas City starting pitcher Jorge Lopez for six runs in only two and a third innings of work. Jake Newberry came on in relief and didn’t fare much better than Lopez, allowing three runs in two and two-thirds of relief work.
Every Houston starter, sans Alex Bregman, recorded a hit, though Bregman more than compensated by drawing a walk and scoring Springer on a sacrifice fly to center field in the third. Brantley, Josh Reddick and Yuri Gurriel each had two hits and as a team, Houston finished with 11 hits.
For Houston, the seven game homestand continues with a four-game series with the Rangers starting tomorrow. Houston hasn’t had much success with the Rangers so far in the 2019 season, Texas owns a 4-2 record over the Astros thus far.
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