Jarred Cosart (1-3, 4.50) vs Chris Tillman (3-1, 3.80)
For the first two games of this Baltimore series, Houston required late-inning heroics to tie or take the lead, only to end up losing by one run each time. Today, the Astros took a different approach: jump ahead early and never look back. Jason Castro hit a 3-run homer before anybody recorded an out, and Astros pitching this time made it stand up. Houston takes the series finale 5-2, stopping their own 2-game losing streak and Baltimore's 5-game winning streak. The Astros finish the road trip 2-5, and head back home to face the Rangers at 12-26 on the year.
On the Mound:
*Pitching in front of mama for Mother's Day, Jarred Cosart made her proud, delivering his fourth straight quality start and his fifth of the season. The 3-0 lead he was handed before he took the mound was all that he would need, finishing with a 6 IP / 8 H / 2 R / 2 ER / 2 BB / 3 K line.
*Two insurance runs in the top of the 7th must have made Bo Porter feel at least a bit better about going to his bullpen, but Tony Sipp made sure Bo had nothing to worry about anyway. Sipp went six up, six down, with five strikeouts in his two innings pitched.
*Chad Qualls got the call for the save situation in the 9th, and there was blessedly no drama, with only a 2-out HBP marring his scoreless outing. The save is Qualls' second, tying him with Anthony Bass and Josh Fields for the team lead.
*Two insurance runs in the top of the 7th must have made Bo Porter feel at least a bit better about going to his bullpen, but Tony Sipp made sure Bo had nothing to worry about anyway. Sipp went six up, six down, with five strikeouts in his two innings pitched.
*Chad Qualls got the call for the save situation in the 9th, and there was blessedly no drama, with only a 2-out HBP marring his scoreless outing. The save is Qualls' second, tying him with Anthony Bass and Josh Fields for the team lead.
At the Plate:
*All or nothing with the long ball again, but today it worked out well for the Astros. Jason Castro's 3-run homer in the 1st led the way, and Jason finished 1x5 with 2 K. The HR was his fifth.
*Marc Krauss added the insurance in the 7th with a 2-run bomb of his own (his third), going 2x4 with a BB and a K.
*Jose Altuve had another trademark Altuve day, going 3x4 with a walk, a double, and a run scored.
*Alex Presley likewise doubled and went 2x4 with a walk.
*Matt Dominguez singled twice to go 2x5 with a run scored.
*And Jonathan Villar went 1x4 with 2 K.
*Marc Krauss added the insurance in the 7th with a 2-run bomb of his own (his third), going 2x4 with a BB and a K.
*Jose Altuve had another trademark Altuve day, going 3x4 with a walk, a double, and a run scored.
*Alex Presley likewise doubled and went 2x4 with a walk.
*Matt Dominguez singled twice to go 2x5 with a run scored.
*And Jonathan Villar went 1x4 with 2 K.
Turning Point:
Jose Altuve led off the game with a walk on five pitches from Oriole starter Chris Tillman. Five pitches later, Dexter Fowler had walked too. Then one pitch after that, Jason Castro gave the Astros a 3-0 lead on their first hit of the game. Nice for once that the early turning point went in Houston's favor.
Man of the Match:
Jarred Cosart. He's now given up two runs or less in six innings or more in all of his four starts since getting bombed in Oakland on April 18.
Goat of the Game:
George Springer. Golden sombrero for George today, going 0x5 with 4 K.
