Hunter Brown reveals insider secrets from Astros spring training

HOT MIC!

Hunter Brown reveals insider secrets from Astros spring training
Hunter Brown dishes on his sinker, Forrest Whitley's car getting towed and much more! Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images.

Ever wonder what the players talk about at spring training? Well, you don't have to wonder anymore as Astros' Hunter Brown pulls back the curtain by wearing a hot mic on the field!

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The Astros beat the Rays, 4-3. Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images.

Jake Meyers hit a go-ahead home run, and Josh Hader stranded a runner on third in the ninth inning to preserve the Houston Astros' 4-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night.

Chandler Simpson reached on catcher's interference to begin the ninth against Hader. Simpson advanced on a ground out before stealing third. Hader then got Taylor Wells to pop up a bunt and Isaac Paredes to pop out near third for his 12th save in 12 opportunities.

Meyers went 2 for 3 and hit his third home run on the second pitch from reliever Manuel Rodriguez (0-2) to put the Astros ahead in the seventh.

Meyers walked, stole his eighth base and scored on a double by Cam Smith as part of a three-run first inning against Rays starter Ryan Pepiot. Victor Caratini opened the scoring with his third home run — a two-out solo shot — and Chas McCormick capped it with an RBI single.

Houston's Colton Gordon — a native of St. Petersburg, Florida, making his second career start — allowed a single to Yandy Díaz leading off the first then retired 12 straight until Brandon Lowe singled in the fifth. Danny Jansen followed with his third homer to make it 3-2. Díaz and José Caballero had back-to-back doubles in the sixth to tie it.

Gordon allowed three runs and five hits in 5 1/3 innings with seven strikeouts. Bryan King (2-0) got four outs for the win.

Pepiot allowed three runs on eight hits in six innings.

Key moment

King allowed a walk and a single to begin the seventh with a one-run lead but came back to strike out both Taylor Walls and pinch-hitter Jonathan Aranda swinging. Bryan Abreu entered and got Díaz on a grounder for the third out.

Key stat

The Rays have gone 10-8 on the road but just 11-18 at George M. Steinbrenner Field — their temporary home.

Up next

Rays RHP Zack Littell (3-5 4.31) starts Tuesday's middle game. The Astros have not announced a starter.

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