Astros crush the Rangers to complete the four-game sweep
Astros daily report presented by APG&E: 3 hits from the 15-5 win
May 12, 2019, 4:18 pm
Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images
After taking the first three of this four-game series with the Rangers, the Astros looked to make it a clean sweep with a win on Mother's Day Sunday. It was also the MLB debut of right-handed starter Corbin Martin. Here is a quick look at the game and three takeaways:
Final Score: Astros 15, Rangers 5
Record: 26-15, first in the AL West.
Winning pitcher: Corbin Martin (1-0, 3.38 ERA)
Losing pitcher: Adrian Sampson (0-3, 5.25 ERA)
1) Springer and Bregman lead another big offensive game
George Springer started the game in a big way for the Astros, launching his 14th home run of the season to give Houston the immediate 1-0 lead and keeping him on top of the AL home run leaderboard. Springer struck again in the next inning, extending the lead to 2-0 on an RBI single before Alex Bregman made it 4-0 with a two-run home run in the next at-bat.
After a two-RBI single from Carlos Correa in the fourth to make it a 6-1 game, the Astros had a big fifth inning with an RBI-single from Tony Kemp followed by a single by Springer to set up a three-run homer for Alex Bregman, his second of the day, which put Houston at double digits at 10-1.
They, of course, didn't stop there, putting up a five-run sixth inning on an RBI-double by Yuli Gurriel, a two-RBI double by Aledmys Diaz, then a two-run dinger for Springer, his second of the day and putting him at 5-for-5 on the day to that point. That made it a 15-3 game, and they'd take that twelve-run lead to the end.
2) Terrific debut for Martin
Even though Corbin Martin was expected to be on a limited pitch count in his major-league debut, he crushed expectations by throwing a great game. Martin would get all the way into the sixth inning before hitting the 80 pitch mark which caused A.J. Hinch to come out and make the call to the bullpen. Martin had a debut he can look back on as a great memory, finishing five and one-third innings during which he allowed just two runs (one he gave up directly, then the other came when McHugh couldn't erase the inherited runner) on three hits and one walk while striking out nine.
3) McHugh struggles out of the bullpen, Valdez and Devenski close it out
Collin McHugh made his first appearance out of the bullpen this season, taking over for Corbin Martin with one out in the sixth inning. As mentioned, McHugh would allow Martin's runner to score, then allowed one of his own as the Rangers put together a two-run inning to trim the big lead. McHugh had trouble again in the seventh, loading the bases with no outs. To his credit, he would get out of that situation without allowing a run, but it was still overall a shaky relief appearance.
Framber Valdez took over in the eighth inning and threw a scoreless frame to move the game on to the ninth. In the ninth, Chris Devenski took over and would allow a two-run home run before closing out the very lopsided game.
Up Next: The Astros will travel to Detroit tonight to kick off a week of games on the road tomorrow night. The first of three games against Detroit will start at 6:10 PM and will feature Brad Peacock (3-2, 4.30 ERA) for Houston going up against Matthew Boyd (4-2, 2.86 ERA) for the Tigers.
The Astros daily report is presented by APG&E.
Baltimore rookie right-hander Brandon Young lost his bid for the first perfect game in Orioles history with four outs remaining Friday night in a 7-0 win over the Houston Astros.
Young retired the first 23 batters he faced, only to have his shot at history end on slow grounder to the third base side by Houston second baseman Ramon Urìas.
With two outs in the eighth inning, Urìas, facing the Orioles for the first time since being traded last month, hit a 56 mph grounder between the mound and third base line. Young fielded the ball, but his off-balanced throw sailed wide of first base. Urías was awarded an infield single.
Young struck out the next batter to end the eighth. His eight innings pitched were a career high, and he matched his career best with six strikeouts
A native of Lumberton, Texas, less than 100 miles northeast of Houston, Young entered the game 0-6 with a 6.70 ERA through the first 10 starts of his big league career.
Yaramil Hiraldo retired the side in order in the ninth to preserve the Orioles first one-hitter since May 24, 2024.
Astros starter Framber Valdez (11-6) kept the Orioles in check until the fourth when Colby Mayo hit a two-out, solo home run.
Baltimore added to the lead in the fifth after loading the bases. With one-out, Gunnar Henderson drove in a run with a sacrifice fly, and a second run scored on the play when Jésus Sánchez’s throw got past catcher Yainer Diaz.
After Henderson brought home a run in seventh, Dylan Carlson capped a three-run eighth inning with a two-run homer to give the Orioles a 7-0 lead.
Valdez allowed four runs, three earned, on nine hits over 6 2/3 innings as the Astros’ lead over Seattle in the AL West slipped to a half-game.
Key moment
Urias’ infield single with two outs in the eighth inning to break up Young’s bid for a perfect game.
Key stat
John Means threw the Orioles last no-hitter on May 5, 2021.
Up next
Houston RHP Jason Alexander (3-1, 5.02 ERA) opposes LHP Cade Povich (2-6, 4.95) Saturday.