Lee: All about the O
(c) Associated Press
|
Wandy Rodriguez struck out a career-high 13 batters and became the first (and probably only) Astros pitcher to reach 10 wins this season as Houston snuffed Pittsburgh, 7-4, on Monday night.
Other than a three-run hiccup in the fourth, which included a two-run shot by Andrew McCutchen, Rodriguez was in control for his seven innings of work. He needed to pitch that deep in order to get the win because the Astros could scratch out but a pair of runs in the first six frames.
But in the seventh, the game turned. Wih Jason Grilli on the hill for the Bucs, Jose Altuve smacked a one-out double that moved Jordan Schafer to third. Schafer scored when J.D. Martinez tapped into a fielder's choice then Carlos Lee unloaded his 14th homer of the season to break the tie.
Altuve added an insurance run in the eighth.
With a four-run cushion, it was time for Juan Abreu to make his major league debut. Acquired from Atlanta along with Schafer at the trade deadline, the flamethrower struck out the first two batters he faced. Unfortunately, he walked the next man and then gave up an RBI triple to Ronny Cedeno so Mark Melancon came on to get the final out for his 15th save.
Henry Sosa (1-2) will try to extend this two-game winning streak Tuesday night when he faces Charlie Morton (9-7) in a 7:05 Central contest. Morton is 2-1 this season against Houston.
|