Four run fifth inning is as sweet as candy.
WP: Collin McHugh (14 – 7)
LP: Michael Pineda (9 – 8 )
submitted by Sphinx Drummond
Wednesday Businessperson’s Special in the Bronx was a tight affair for the first four innings with the Astros clinging to a 1 to 0 lead of off a second inning Evan Gattis’ home run, his first of the day and his 21st of the season. Collin McHugh was tremendous keeping the Yankees scoreless through six innings before allowing 2 runs in the seventh inning and giving way to Tony Sipp who finished the frame without any further damage. Pat Neshek was solid in the eight and Will Harris was perfect closing out the ninth.
After scoring 15 runs the previous night, it seems it would have been almost typical to have a poor offensive performance for the next game, That wasn’t to be, after a modest start, the Astros opened up the run scoring machine in the fifth. Carlos Gomez got it going with a lead off single, Luis Valbuena followed with a single to CF, moving Gomez to third. Jake Marisnick came on with a bunt single scoring Gomez and moving Valbuena to second. Jason Castro then drew a base on balls to load ‘em up for a sac fly by Jose Altuve, scoring Valbuena and advancing Jake to third base.
Steve Chasen took over pitching for Pineda and Marwin Gonzales made him pay with a single to CF scoring Jake and advancing Castro to second. The next batter, Jed Lowrie walked to load the bases. A wild pitch to Colby Rasmus allowed Castro to score, then Colby was called out on strikes that weren’t. Arguing about the strikes that weren’t got Colby tossed. Gattis popped out to end the inning, (but he did hit his second home run of the game in his next at bat).
The Astros are now 14 games over .500, I think that is their high water mark but I’m not 100% sure, The Astros haven’t won many road series this season, so taking 2 of 3 from the Yanks in their new stadium is very satisfying.
Thursday if an off day, the Astros will travel to Minnesota a some point to face the Twins on Friday with a 7:10 pm CST start that will put Scott Kazmir (7-8 2.39 ERA) against Kyle Gibson (8-9 3.96 ERA).
Time: 3:26
Attendance: 37,259
