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Explosive offense and dominant Javier carry Astros to series opener win over the D-Backs, 8-2.

By Jimmy Price
MLB: Houston Astros at Arizona Diamondbacks
Houston Astros pitcher Cristian Javier reacts at the end of the fourth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Astros came out swinging the bats early in this one. On the second pitch of the game from Madison Bumgarner, who started for the D-Backs, Altuve connected on his second HR of the season, and what seemed like the first hard hit ball from him in a while.

The offense added two more runs in the 2nd inning when Correa connected on a solo HR to left center, and George Springer added a sacrifice fly to make it 3-0.

Cristian Javier got the start and he picked up right where he left off in his last start. He rolled through the first three innings allowing just one hit on 32 pitches. In the 4th, he ran into a little trouble allowing an RBI single to make it 3-1. But with men on first and third and one out, he was able to induce a groundball double play to get him out of the jam.

In the top of the 5th, the Astros put some more offense together scoring the 4th run on a fielder’s choice. After a HBP to Toro loaded the bases, Tucker drove in another run with an RBI single to make it 5-1. This also ran Bumgarner out of the game. With the bases still loaded, Maldanado walked to make it 6-1. One pitch later, George Springer doubled to left field driving in 2 more runs and extending the lead to 8-1. This is FUN!

Javier continued to roll as he made it through 6 innings allowing just the 1 run. Another great outing for Javier. Very good sign for the Astros moving forward, and not just for 2020.

Bryan Abreu relieved Javier and pitched the 7th but he struggled with his command allowing one hit and three walks, one with the bases loaded, before being pulled. Enoli Paredes came on with the bases loaded but was able to get Jon Jay to fly out to center and limit the damage in the inning to just one run. Paredes also threw a scoreless 8th.

Humberto Castellanos, making his major league debut, came on in the 9th to close it tossing a clean 1-2-3 inning! Astros took the opener of the series, 8-2!

NOTES:

  • Carlos Correa went 3-for-3 with the HR and is now hitting .389.
  • Javier lowered his season ERA to 1.42.

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