Another starting pitcher rolls, but the Astros actually come through with a few runs (though not as many as they should have), win the game, and we learn how to love again. Astros win 4-1. They're 11-7.
*McCullers' line: 7IP, 1H/1ER, 11K:1BB. 69 of his 102 pitches were for strikes. After allowing a 2-out home run to Cano, McCullers retired 19 of the next 20 batters he faced.
His career vs. Seattle: 55.2IP, 39H/17ER, 70K:21BB - a 2.75 ERA / 1.09 WHIP. McCullers:
Those guys can really bang. They've got a great hitting team and a great team in general. They have a lot veteran leadership over there, a lot of of guys who are the greats of our generation, especially Robby and obviously Ichiro. When you face those guys, you've got to be on top of your game. Maybe they bring the best out in me.
*Chandler Rome notes that McCullers threw 17 changeups in his first three starts of the season, and 16 changeups last night.
*Robinson Cano, on McCullers:
I don't think he changed anyone's approach because we all know how he goes to his pitch, his breaking ball. He's not a guy who's trying to beat you with his fastball. He's confident in what he's got and puts it where he wants. You have to give the guy credit. He knows how to pitch.
*Chris Peixoto notes that the Astros have seven double-digit strikeout games from their starters this year, the most in MLB history through 18 games.
*Lin-Ariel Miranda had not thrown a pitch in the Majors this season. The full and complete list of pitchers who allowed more home runs than Miranda in MLB in 2017: Rick Porcello. The Astros loaded the bases twice, and were 2x9 w/RISP. Josh Reddick was 0x3 w/RISP.
*Jake Marisnick: 0x4, 4 strikeouts. That's 24 strikeouts (and no walks) in 45 plate appearances. He got his 24th strikeout through 61 PAs last season, but also had a .914 OPS to go with it.
*Brian McCann was 1x1 with two walks and hit his first home run of the season last night, a 2-run blast that let the Astros breathe a little bit.
*Tony Sipp will be activated from the DL today, so James Hoyt is heading back to Fresno.
*Fresno got eight runs in the first inning and have won seven straight games. Fresno is also donating leftover food from home games to the homeless, and that's very cool.
*Shohei Ohtani left his start against Boston after 2IP, 3ER, and a blister on his finger.
*The Hardball Times: 10 interesting facts about Tommy John Surgery.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
