Jeremy Pena three-run homer nails the win
Framber Valdez has been less than his usual All-Star stuff this year, coming into the game with a 4.39 ERA. Today, Valdez pitched like an All-Star in his last year before reaching free agency: 7 IP, 3 hits, 2 walks, 7 Ks. His only mistake was a solo homer to
Eric Haase in the fifth inning.
Of course, on a day when Astros pitching dominated, the Astros’ bats finally came out to play.
The Astros scored one in the second inning on a Zach Dezenzo double, scoring Jake Meyers.
The AStros added two in the fifth inning after Dezenzo led off with a walk, Brendan Rogers got on base on an error, and the runners advanced on a Chas McCormick sacrifice. Jeremy Pena then grounded to third base, but the throw home was late upon review as Dezenzo avoided getting tagged on the hand and beat the tag to his body. Rogers then scored on a passed ball.
The Astros added three more runs in the sixth on a Pena homer, his team-leading fifth of the season.
The Astros piled on in the ninth with three more runs, highlighted by a two-run Yainer Diaz double.
The Astros scored nine runs on only eight hits, with Pena contributing the most with four RBI and two runs scored.
Bryan Abreu and Josh Hader got some work in to close the game ahead of tomorrow’s off-day. Abreu had a clean inning, but a rusty Hader allowed a hit by pitch, a walk, and a hit before exiting unscathed, leaving the bases loaded.