Astros Win Pitcher’s Duel Behind Rookie Cristian Javier, 2-1

The American League’s leading run scoring offense could manage only two runs and three hits tonight, but it was just enough behind the 6.2 innings of one-run baseball by rookie starter Cristian Javier. It was Javier’s fourth win of the season, and it lowered his ERA to 3.35 for the year.

The Astros took advantage of Rangers starter Kolby Allard early, scoring two runs in the first on a lead-off walk by George Springer, soon followed by a Michael Brantley home run, his second in two games.

The Astros would only muster one more hit for the next six innings against Allard, who came into the game with a 6.50 ERA.

But the Rangers were having as much or more trouble with Javier, who finished 6.2 innings allowing only one run, two hits, and two walks. The one run came on a fourth inning solo home run by Isiah Kiner-Falefa. It went 342 feet, didn’t even qualify as a hard hit ball, and had a hit probability of 8%. Yes, it was a Crawford Boxes special.

After Javier left the game, Blake Raley completed the scoreless seventh inning, Enoli Paredes compiled a scoreless eighth, and Ryan Pressly attoned for his blown save last night with a perfect ninth inning to seal the win and get the save.

Box score and videos HERE

The great Tom Seaver died today. The following sequence, compiled by the Pitching Ninja, is in memoriam.

Tomorrow’s game is early, a 1:10 start time. Two aces, Lance Lynn and Zack Greinke, will battle on the mound.