Tommy Milone (0-1, 4.24) vs Collin McHugh (1-0, 0.00)
It would be difficult to imagine anyone pitching better than Scott Feldman did in his first three starts this season. Thanks to Collin McHugh's arrival out of nowhere, the Astros don't have to imagine. McHugh straight dominated the Oakland team that straight dominated Houston for the first two games of this series, and by some power, the Astros walk away with a series split. 5-1 victory for Houston today, improving them to 9-17 overall.
On the Mound:
*Collin McHugh, we love you. Everyone knew that he wouldn't repeat the 12 K, 6.2 inning performance from his Houston debut, but it could be argued that this afternoon he was even better. One out shy of a complete game, two-hit shutout, McHugh still turned in an absolutely glittering 8.2 IP / 2 H / 1 R / 1 ER / 3 BB / 7 K line.
*Raul Valdes got the call once McHugh's shutout was gone, and he made quick work, retiring Craig Gentry on a liner to center with his third pitch, thus nailing down the game.
At the Plate:
*Nice offense again today - 5 runs on 7 hits, and Houston went 3x6 with RISP.
*Jose Altuve keeps swinging a hot stick, going 2x4 today with his first home run of the season - a 2-run shot into the Crawford Boxes to account for half of Houston's 4-run 7th.
*Jonathan Villar handled the other half of the runs in the 7th, with a 2-run triple to cap his 2x3, 2B, 2 R day.
*Dexter Fowler kept his hitting streak alive - now 8 games - with a 1x4, RBI afternoon.
*Carlos Corporan was 1x3 with a run scored and a K.
*Jesus Guzman was 1x4 with the other hit.
*And Matt Dominguez was 0x3 with a K, but scored a run after a walk.
Turning Point:
Houston took a 1-0 lead on a Dexter Fowler ground out in the 3rd, but it wasn't until the 7th that the game broke open. Matt Dominguez walked in between outs by Chris Carter and L.J. Hoes, but Carlos Corporan kept the inning alive with a single. Then Jonathan Villar tripled, plating both Matty D and Corp, and forcing Oakland starter Tommy Milone from the game in a 3-0 hole. Jose Altuve greeted Dan Otero rudely, though, sending his first pitch over the fence in left to make it a 5-0 Astros lead.
Man of the Match:
COLLIN MCHUGE. <3
Goat of the Game:
With an off day tomorrow, let's just revel in at least three straight days when the Astros didn't lose. No goat!
