Weiland: Shrigs off tough first
(c) Associated Press
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When Jeff Luhnow brought in several veterans late this winter, the question was whether the Astros had lost their commitment to the youth movement. Apparently not. Livan Hernandez was the latest veteran to get his walking papers Friday, just as Zach Duke, Jack Cust and Joe Thurston had earlier. The former All-Star was waived after a poor showing Thursday against the Mets.
One person who must have been happy with the news was Kyle Weiland, the pitcher acquired with shortstop Jed Lowrie in Luhnow's first trade for Houston0 He.may have lost the split squad game against the Braves on Friday night, 3-1, in Lake Buena Vista but he turned in another solid effort. Weiland tossed six innings, allowing three runs (all in the first inning) on five hits while walking one and striking out five.
Jair Jurrjens had his normal way with Houston hitters, allowing just a Chris Snyder solo homer among five hits over seven innings. The Astros did enjoy two shutout innings from Rhiner Cruz who is making a late bid to stick as a Rule V choice.
Back in Kissimmee, the news was better as the other half of the Astros stopped the other half of the Braves, 5-1, behind six innings from Bud Norris. The righty gave up one run on four hits and did not walk a batter. Jarred Cosart tossed a scoreless inning of relief before Brandon Lyon and Brett Myers mopped up.
Jason Castro led the offense with a pair of hits while Chris Johnson added a two-run single in the four-run fourth.
The final spring home game in Kissimmee takes place Saturday against the New York Yankees in a 12:05 Central tilt. Jordan Lyles will hope to match the impressive starts from Weiland and Lucas Harrell as he vies for the last spot in the starting rotation.
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