How Astros look to jumpstart squad with these much-needed returns, roster moves

STONE COLD 'STROS

How Astros look to jumpstart squad with these much-needed returns, roster moves
Welcome to The Show, Joey! Composite Getty Image.

Coming off a much-needed two-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies, the Astros have some tough teams on their schedule as they try to climb back in the race in the AL West.

Houston's pitching appears to be back on track, with Framber Valdez and Justin Verlander looking good since returning from injury. And Cristian Javier and Jose Urquidy should return soon to give the club another boost. Which does raise some questions about who will remain in the rotation when the staff is fully healthy.

Sweet relief

The Astros bullpen finally lived up to expectations on Sunday, so hopefully that's a sign of things to come for the rest of the season.

End of the line?

Jose Abreu continues to struggle at the plate, so the Astros decided to promote Joey Loperfido to the big league club. We could see his debut as soon as Tuesday night when the Astros host the Guardians.

Be sure to watch the video above as we react to the big wins in Mexico City, look ahead to the Astros next two opponents, and much more!

Catch our weekly Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast. Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo discuss varied Astros topics. The first post for the week generally goes up Monday afternoon (second part released Tuesday) via YouTube: stone cold stros - YouTube with the complete audio available via Apple Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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The Astros beat the Guardians, 4-2. Photo by Jack Gorman/Getty Images.

Jeremy Peña had three hits to extend his hitting streak to 12 games, Colton Gordon got his first major league win and the Houston Astros defeated the Cleveland Guardians 4-2 on Friday night.

Christian Walker drove in a pair of runs in the fifth inning and Brendan Rodgers added a solo shot in the sixth as the Astros improved to 3-1 on their six-game road trip.

Gordon (1-1), who was making his fifth start, allowed one run on seven hits and struck out five. The left-hander was an eighth-round pick in the 2021 amateur draft.

Josh Hader recorded his 17th save, tied for second in the American League.

David Fry homered for the Guardians, who have dropped three of four. Carlos Santana had his 14-game hitting streak snapped.

It is the second hitting streak this season of at least 10 games for Peña. The shortstop is batting .449 (22 of 49) with three home runs and six RBIs during his current run.

Houston took the lead with three runs in the fifth off Cleveland starter Logan Allen (3-4). Peña scored from second on a deep infield single by Jose Altuve and Walker drove in a pair with a base hit to right.

Key moment

Cleveland had a chance to do some damage in the first inning, but Angel Martínez and José Ramírez were thrown out at second by Houston left fielder Mauricio Dubón when they tried to extend base hits into doubles.

Dubón joined Toronto's Addison Barger as outfielders with a pair of assists in one inning this season.

Key stat

Houston's struggles with the bases loaded continues. The Astros were 0 for 2 Friday night and are last in the majors with a .146 batting average.

Up next

Houston RHP Hunter Brown (8-3, 1.83 ERA) is tied for the AL lead in wins. Cleveland will go with RHP Gavin Williams (5-3, 3.79 ERA).

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