Nick Tepesch (0-0, -.--) vs Scott Feldman (2-1, 1.93)
So many funs - it's a comeback! And a walk-off! And a series win - against the Rangers! George Springer hit another home run. The bullpen went untouched for four innings. The offense got 11 hits for the fifth straight game. It was Houston's first series win since April 21-23 @ Seattle, their first home series win since Opening Weekend against the Yankees, and their first ever series win against the Rangers as AL West rivals. And as a bonus, Houston knocked Texas under .500 at 20-21 with the win. Astros officially mark the quarter pole of the 2014 season with a 5-4 triumph, going into the off day winners of 3 of 4 and sitting at 14-27 overall.
On the Mound:
*Scott Feldman tonight had likely his worst start of the season, allowing a season-high 10 hits over a season-low 5 innings, matching the 4 ER he allowed in his last start before his DL stint. He left in a 4-0 hole, at which time Houston only had 2 hits, so it didn't look good - but that was only the start of the story. His line: 5 IP / 10 H / 4 R / 4 ER / 1 BB / 3 K.
*Darin Downs got the first call from the 'pen tonight, striking out one batter and hitting one batter in 0.2 scoreless IP.
*Paul (Not Roger) Clemens got credit for ending the 6th when Jason Castro caught Rougned Odor stealing, then allowed an Adrian Beltre double and an IBB to Prince Fielder in 2/3 of the 7th.
*Tony Sipp got a K to end the 7th, then two more in a perfect 8th, then he got the first out of the 9th, too. He's still yet to allow a baserunner now in four appearances and 5.2 IP.
*Chad Qualls followed next and retired both batters he faced in the 9th, striking out one.
At the Plate:
*Very little offense through the first 5 innings, but everything happened after that. The Astros' scoring began with a RBI single by pinch-hitter Jesus Guzman in the 6th, who stayed in to finish 1x2 with a K.
*Chris Carter followed Guzman with a RBI single of his own, going 1x4 with a K.
*George Springer! No walks and 3 K tonight, but he did it when it counted, going deep for a game-tying 2-run homer in the 7th - his third HR of the season. George finished 1x5.
*Dexter Fowler was flawless at the plate tonight, going 3x3 with 2 BB and 2 R.
*Jason Castro was nearly as good, going 2x3 with a double, 2 BB, a R, and a K.
*Jose Altuve's latest hitting streak is now 7 games, after he went 1x5 with a R and a K tonight.
*Then last but not least, Matty D! Matt Dominguez was 1x4 with 2 K before the 9th inning, then barely missed a 3-run walk-off homer, but a walk-off RBI single was plenty good enough.
Turning Point:
After Houston tied the game with a pair of runs in each the 6th and the 7th, neither team did anything in the 8th. Texas went down in order in the 9th, too, and George Springer led of Houston's half with a K, but Dexter Fowler kept up his perfect night with a single. Jason Castro walked, moving Fowler up to second, then Matt Dominguez worked a full count off Rangers reliever Nick Martinez before he ripped the ball deep in the right-center field gap. It landed just shy of the fence, but it landed, driving Fowler around to home for the walk-off celebration.
Man of the Match:
Matty D was the obvious hero, but I'm going with Dexter Fowler. Outstanding night for Dexter, culminating in scoring the winning run.
Goat of the Game:
Not even gonna. No goat tonight.
