Harrell: Keeps name in race
(c) Houston Astros
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Lucas Harrell kept his name in the mix for the fifth starter role, allowing one unearned run in five innings on three hits as the Astros subdued the Miami Marlins, 6-3, on Wednesday. David Carpenter and Wesley Wright gave up three hits and a run each before Brett Myers closed the door for his first save of the spring.
Harrell, claimed last July from the White Sox, shrunk his spring ERA to 2.16 in the effort. He issued no walks but also struck out no one. Cool Hand Luke did hit a single of his own however. Harrell is battling Jordan Lyles and Kyle Weiland for the last spot in the five-man rotation.
The Astros scratched out 11 hits, including two by Chris Johnson and two by Rule V claimee Marwin Gonzalez who ended the day as the last shortstop standing (more on that below). Matt Downs doubled and drove in a pair while Brian Bogusevic had a two-run single. Houston peppered old Chicago nemesis Carlos Zambrano for three runs over four innings.
Before the game, the Astros trimmed their roster to 34 by sending down infielders Angel Sanchez, Brian Bixler and Scott Moore along with reliever Enerio Del Rosario. They also released veteran infielder Joe Thurston, who wasted no time signing a deal with the Phillies.
That left Gonzalez and Jed Lowrie as the only two players with shortstop skills on the roster but Lowrie went out in the third inning after he sprained his thumb during a pickoff attempt by Zambrano. The x-rays on Lowrie were negative and it remains to be seen how much time he might miss.
Livan Hernandez should start Thursday when the 13-12 Astros hit the road for Port St. Lucie and a 5:05 Central time tilt against the New York Mets.
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