Astros extend winning streak to 8 games

Astros daily report presented by APG&E: 3 hits from the 5-1 win

Paul Muth
May 15, 2019, 10:11 pm
Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images

The Astros took the field Wednesday night looking to complete a three-game sweep against the Detroit Tigers. Houston capitalized on a strong start from their ace with big contributions at the plate from their bench.

Final Score: Astros 5, Tigers 1

Record: 29-15, first in the AL West.

Winning pitcher: Justin Verlander (7-1, 2.38 ERA)

Losing pitcher: Gregory Soto (0-2, 13.50 ERA)

1. Verlander tosses gem in familiar territory

Justin Verlander's second ever start against his old team was the storyline going into this series and when the 36 year old was handed the ball to complete the sweep, he didn't disappoint. Verlander fired 7 innings of 2-hit baseball, surrendering one homerun while striking out 9. Verlander shows no signs of slowing down as he ranks first in the AL in record (7-1), WHIP (0.79), and second in strikeouts (77).

2. Jakeday delivers

The hallmark of this season's roster and their current streak is the ability to pick up each other's slack when someone has an off night. Tonight was no different, and while Alex Bregman and Carlos Correa each had their typically large contributions, George Springer turned in an 0-5 night. The effects were hardly felt, however, as Jake Marisnick went 2-3 with a single, a triple and two RBIs. He batted ninth.

3. Still Streaking

Since their embarrassing 2-12 defeat last Tuesday against the struggling Kansas City Royals (the one that included two grand slams and a Tyler White relief pitching appearance), the Astros have been white hot. With the win Wednesday night, the Astros have swept two teams in a row, and are riding an eight-game win streak heading into this weekend's series against Boston. The Astros are averaging an unreal 8.25 runs per game during this stretch, while holding their opponents to just 4.25. That number looks a lot better when you consider the fact that the runs being scored are typically against lower tier relievers that are only seeing action because the score is so out of hand.

Up Next: Houston will have a day off tomorrow before kicking off a three game series at Boston on Friday at 6:10. Gerrit Cole (4-4, 3.88 ERA) will face Rick Porcello (3-3, 5.15 ERA).

The Astros daily report is presented by APG&E.

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Houston gets back in the win column

Astros end six-game skid thanks to a gem by Greinke

Zack Greinke tossed a gem Saturday night. Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images

After the Mariners roared back Friday night to get a walk-off win over the Astros, dashing their hopes of ending their losing streak, Houston tried to even the series with a win on Saturday night with their ace Zack Greinke on the mound. Greinke would do his part, throwing a terrific game, and the Astros would squeak out one run, which was enough to get back in the win column.

Final Score: Astros 1, Mariners 0

Astros' Record: 7-7, fourth in the AL West

Winning Pitcher: Zack Greinke (2-1)

Losing Pitcher: Chris Flexen (1-1)

Plenty of hits, but only one run

Although the Astros were racking up hits against Chris Flexen, they had little to show for it. Eight different batters would notch ten hits against him, but the only time it amounted to a run was on a two-out RBI-single by Taylor Jones in the top of the fourth, giving Houston a 1-0 lead.

Greinke spins a gem

Luckily for them, Zack Greinke was making it look like that would be enough. He cruised through the Mariners all night, allowing just four hits while giving up zero runs along with six strikeouts, one of which moved him past 2,700 on his career. He could have attempted to finish the complete-game shutout, but at 91 pitches after eight, Dusty Baker opted to bring in closer Ryan Pressly for the ninth. Greinke's final line: 8.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K, 91 P.

Houston finally ends their losing streak

With the high-leverage save opportunity in the bottom of the ninth, Ryan Pressly entered to hold on to the one-run lead. He would do his job, finishing off the win for Greinke and putting an end to Houston's disappointing losing streak.

Up Next: The third and final game of this series will get underway at 3:10 PM Central on Sunday. Jake Odorizzi (0-1, 13.50 ERA) will look to make a rebound from his disappointing first start with the Astros, while the Mariners will start Nick Margevicius (0-1, 7.04 ERA).

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