Have you seen this man?
(c) AP/Dave Einsel
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J.A. Happ was scheduled to start tonight's game for Houston, but someone wearing his uniform took the mound and spun a three-hit shutout over the Pittsburgh Pirates Wednesday night.
The doppelganger pitched seven strong innings and struck out six to lead the Astros to a 2-0 victory that tied their season-high win streak at four games, and completed a three-game sweep of the reeling Bucs.
The Astros' only runs came in the fourth. Jimmy Paredes worked a leadoff walk, then Angel Sanchez singled him to third. Humberto Quintero was thrown out on a weak grounder, but Paredes slid home. Jordan Schafer bunted safely to plate Sanchez.
Carlos Lee extended his hitting streak to 12 games, going 2/4 with a double.
The Astros wasted a golden opportunity in the second against Pirates starter James McDonald. Brian Bogusevic, Paredes, and Sanchez loaded the bases with nobody out on three consecutive singles, but Houston failed to score when a popup, strikeout, and groundout neutralized the threat.
Houston closed out the month of August with a 12-17 record, still bad but a vast improvement over July's even more dismal 6-20 showing.
The Astros have Thursday off as they prepare to host the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers for a three-game weekend set. Newly called-up Lucas Harrell (0-0, 7.20) will start for Houston in Friday's opener against the Brew Crew's ace Zack Greinke (13-5, 4.05). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. CT.
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