Friday Night was a mini redemption tour of sorts. Jose Altuve was stuck in the midst of a 0-12 slump, with visible frustrations boiling over prior to launching a decisive 3 run shot in the 6th inning.
One week ago, teammate Tatsuya Imai had been rocked in Kansas City failing to survive even a single inning of work. Fast forward things, Imai would strike out six Guardians throughout the course of two innings, and before it was all said and done, he’d register 11 K’s along with zero walks in a comeback 9-3 victory over Cleveland. The win represents the 9th for the month of June, and the 3rd in a row for a Houston squad gaining more and more momentum. For Altuve and Imai, it’s a chance to exhale and celebrate.
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The Astros would actually start off the scoring. In the bottom of the first, Cleveland would gift the first run of the evening. After Isaac Paredes singled to right field, Christian Walker would score on a throwing error by Kahlil Watson.
However, in the bottom of the third, Imai would run into trouble. Travis Bazzana would start off things with a stand up double. Brayan Rocchio would bring him home with his 33rd double of the season and then he’d come around to score on the strength of Rhys Hoskins home run to left field. All told, Cleveland would post three runs, but that was all.
Jeremy Pena would respond in the fourth with a line drive solo shot, the Astros 100th home run of the season. That cut the deficit to 3-2. The Astros would next do damage in the bottom of the six off reliever Matt Festa. Festa would allow 3 hits in just 2/3’s of work after replacing starter Tanner Bibee. Pena would go yard again the next time up. He now has 6 home runs on the season. Altuve would pick up an RBI double in the 7th, finishing the night with 4 RBIs in total.
In the bottom of the 8th, Cam Smith would come around and score after leading off the inning with a walk thanks to an extra base hit from Jake Meyers who’s fresh off his 30th birthday. Meyers would be brought home by a Pena single. Pena would finish with 3 hits on the night.
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After a pair of solid innings of relief from Steven Okert, Mike Burrows would come out of the pen to close the door in the 9th in his first relief appearance of the season.
Odds & Ends:
Lance McCullers threw 25 pitches of live b.p. on Friday Night as he continues his rehab.
Yanier Diaz would catch Imai for the first time in his young career.
Yordan Alvarez has now reached base safely in 25 straight contests.
Tomorrow, Spencer Arrighetti will take the mound for the Astros searching for his 8th win. First pitch @ 6:15 CDT.
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