Astros improve to 6-4
Astros overpower Diamondbacks in blowout win to start series
Aug 4, 2020, 11:20 pm
Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images
Astros Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa
After grinding through back-to-back extra-inning games in the series with the Los Angeles Angels where they would ultimately come away with the victory, the Astros had a day off on Monday before getting back into action on Tuesday. They were in Arizona for the first of three games against the Diamondbacks. Here is a rundown of the series opener:
Final Score: Astros 8, Diamondbacks 2.
Record: 6-4, first in the AL West.
Winning pitcher: Cristian Javier (1-0, 1.42 ERA).
Losing pitcher: Madison Bumgarner (0-2, 7.04 ERA).
Houston takes an early lead against Bumgarner and then piles on
Got this one out early!#ForTheH pic.twitter.com/4s6uWrjo5g
— Houston Astros (@astros) August 5, 2020
Houston wasted no time going after Madison Bumgarner, with George Springer going after the first pitch of the game for a groundout, then Jose Altuve launching a solo home run on the next pitch to get an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first. They added to that lead in the second inning, with Carlos Correa leading it off with a solo home run of his own, making it 2-0. After two hit batters and a single, the Astros had the bases loaded for George Springer with one out, and he would deliver a sacrifice fly to push the lead to 3-0.
They would put runners on base in the next two innings, but would not score again until the fifth when a Bumgarner fielding error on a potential double-play would bring in a run and extend the inning. Houston would go on to load the bases, setting up Kyle Tucker for an RBI-single to make it 5-1 and end Bumgarner's night. Against Arizona's new reliever, Martin Maldonado worked a bases-loaded walk to make it 6-1, then Springer followed with a two-RBI double, blowing the game open at 8-1.
Javier gets first-career win in another impressive start
With a lead in hand when he went to the mound, Cristian Javier had another strong performance in his second-ever start. He allowed just one baserunner over the first three innings, a single in the second. After those three efficient innings, he would face some adversity in the bottom of the fourth. After allowing a double and one-out walk, he would give up his first run of the night on an RBI-single to make it a 3-1 game. Luckily, a great double play behind him would get him out of the jam and the inning.
Javier was able to settle back in after that rougher inning, getting quick, scoreless innings in the fifth and sixth, earning him the win. His final line: 6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 0 HR.
Yet another rookie pitching debut as Houston's bullpen finishes the win
Bryan Abreu was first out of Houston's bullpen, taking over for Javier in the bottom of the seventh. He would not have an inning to remember, allowing a leadoff double followed later by two walks to load the bases. He then walked in a run, making it 8-2, and prompting another call to the bullpen. Enoli Paredes would enter and get the final out of the seventh inning.
Paredes ran into trouble of his own in the bottom of the eighth, loading the bases after a walk and two singles, but with some help from Houston's defense would keep it a six-run lead heading to the ninth. In yet another Astros debut for a pitcher in 2020, Humberto Castellanos entered in the bottom of the ninth, and he recorded the final three outs to close out the victory for Houston.
Up Next: This series continues on Wednesday with the middle game of this three-game set at 8:10 PM Central. Lance McCullers Jr. (1-0, 5.40 ERA) will return to the mound in another start for the Astros, while Robbie Ray (0-2, 8.64 ERA) will look to turn things around in his early season with the Diamondbacks.
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The Houston Rockets, riding a three-game road winning streak, head to Salt Lake City on Thursday night to take on the Utah Jazz. Tipoff is set for 9 p.m. EDT.
Team outlook
Houston (47-26) sits second in the Western Conference and has been dominant in recent weeks, winning nine of its last 10 games. The Rockets have thrived in blowout situations, going 21-9 in games decided by 10 or more points.
Utah (16-57) has endured a rough season, sitting at the bottom of the Western Conference standings. The Jazz have lost nine of their last 10 and are just 7-39 against conference opponents. Despite their struggles, they remain a strong team on the offensive glass, ranking sixth in the West with 11.9 offensive rebounds per game, led by Walker Kessler’s 4.6 per contest.
Key matchups
Kessler has been a bright spot for the Jazz, averaging 11.2 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game. Collin Sexton has also stepped up recently, averaging 14.1 points over the last 10 games.
For Houston, Alperen Sengun continues to shine with averages of 19 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 4.9 assists. Dillon Brooks has also been on a tear, hitting 3.1 three-pointers per game in his last 10 contests.
By the numbers
- The Jazz average 113.6 points per game but give up 120.1, a troubling disparity.
- Houston allows just 108.8 points per game in its last 10 contests, a major reason for its recent dominance.
- Utah’s 13.9 made three-pointers per game could be a factor against a Rockets defense that allows 12.1 per contest.
Injury report
The Jazz will be without several key players, including Lauri Markkanen (illness), John Collins (ankle), Taylor Hendricks (fibula), and Jordan Clarkson (foot).
The Rockets list Amen Thompson as day-to-day (ankle), while Reed Sheppard is out with a thumb injury.
With momentum firmly on their side, the Rockets will look to keep rolling and take care of business against a short-handed Jazz squad.
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