Harrell: Goose eggs for seven
(c) Associated Press
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Jamie Moyer, becoming the second-oldest man to pitch a major league game, was the headline attraction but Lucas Harrell upstaged him with seven shutout innings that became a 7-3 Houston triumph Friday in a game of milestones.
While Jordan Schafer and J.D. Martinez blasted homers off a guy who made his big league debut before they were yet born, Harrell and Rule V pick Marwin Gonzalez both registered their first big league hits. Those came back-to-back off Moyer in the fourth with Gonzalez scoring on a bunt by Schafer that put Houston ahead, 4-0.
Another Rule V selection, pitcher Rhiner Cruz, got the final out in his major league debut after Brandon Lyon and Wesley Wright gave up three runs in the final innings in relief of Harrell who surrendered just three hits and no walks in seven frames while striking out four.
Martinez and Chris Snyder drove in runs late while a passed ball plated the final Houston run. Martinez and Chris Johnson each had two of the ten Astros hits while Travis Buck had his second straight extra-base pinch-hit with a triple in the seventh.
The rubber game of the series takes place Sunday afternoon in a 1:05 Central duel. Bud Norris will pitch against Juan Nicasio.
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