Jeremy Guthrie (5-1, 2.82) vs Dallas Keuchel (0-1, 4.82)
After a very rough first quarter of the season, things are looking up for Houston a bit more in the last week. They had won two of their last four coming into tonight, and the two losses to Pittsburgh were both well within striking distance. Tonight they returned home to Houston and continued the improved play. Astros beat the Royals 6-5, and move to 13-32 overall.
On the Mound:
*Dallas Keuchel made his third start of 2013, and it was his longest outing of the season so far. He fell one out shy of 7 innings complete, with a 6.2 IP / 9 H / 4 R / 4 ER / 4 BB / 6 K line.
*Paul Clemens faced & retired Billy Butler to end the 7th.
*Wesley Wright got an out to start the 8th, but left after allowing a double to Eric Hosmer.
*Hector Ambriz officially finished the 8th without giving up a run, but a RBI double by Jeff Francoeur charged a run to Wesley's ledger.
*Jose Veras then turned in his second straight perfect outing, fanning two in the 9th for his 7th save.
At the Plate:
*Matty D! Swinging the big stick again. Matt Dominguez led the offense with his fourth HR of the season - all in the last 10 days - on a three-run blast in the 4th, finishing 2 for 4.
*Jason Castro also went deep for the fourth time this season, on a solo shot in the 3rd to finish 1 for 3 with a walk and a K.
*Jimmy Paredes didn't run over anyone in RF tonight, and he went 2 for 4 with a R and a RBI.
*Jose Altuve was 0 for 3, but had Houston's other RBI on a 3rd-inning sac fly.
*Carlos Pena doubled to go 1 for 2 with a R and 2 BB.
*Chris Carter was 1 for 3 with a R, a BB, and 2 K.
*Marwin Gonzalez scored a run and went 1 for 4.
*Robbie Grossman just gets on base, man. He went 1 for 3 with a walk and a sacrifice bunt.
Turning Point:
The Astros took a 3-1 lead into the 4th, but a three-run HR by some Miguel Tejada guy put Kansas City up 4-3. In the bottom of the frame, Chris Carter started with a strikeout, but Carlos Pena walked and Jimmy Paredes singled to put two on with one out. Matt Dominguez followed and worked a 3-1 count, then planted the next pitch in the Crawford Boxes to negate Tejada's home run and give the lead back to Houston for good.
Man of the Match:
Matty D, with the Ankiel-like .176 average but four home runs over the last 9 games.
Goat of the Game:
J.D. Martinez. The only Astro not to contribue on offense, going 0 for 4.
