Diamondbacks vs Astros. Team cuts lefty slugger, calls up DH from Reno

The Diamondbacks designated Max Kepler for assignment before their series finale Sunday, Sept. 6, in Houston against the Astros, and recalled DH Adrian Del Castillo from Triple-A Reno. Kepler hit just .205 with a .565 OPS through his 41 games with Arizona, with two home runs and 15 RBIs. The Diamond

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The Diamondbacks designated Max Kepler for assignment before their series finale Sunday, Sept. 6, in Houston against the Astros, and recalled DH Adrian Del Castillo from Triple-A Reno.

Kepler hit just .205 with a .565 OPS through his 41 games with Arizona, with two home runs and 15 RBIs.

The Diamondbacks try to win their third game in the past four when lefty Eduardo Rodriguez takes the mound to face Houston's Peter Lambert. The team can carry momentum from a big 4-3, 10-inning win on Sept. 5.

That victory was capped by a dominant closing effort from left-hander Brandyn Garcia. The final out was a strikeout against Jose Altuve, who appeared overmatched as he swung at the third strike.

Garcia told reporters that was a particularly focused pitch.

“I did try to let that one eat as hard as I could,” he said. “That was pretty cool that I got a little swing and miss on that.”

Diamondbacks at Astros, 11:15 a.m., Fox

Diamondbacks LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (14-5, 2.59) vs. Astros RHP Peter Lambert (8-7, 3.66).

At Daikin Park: Rodriguez gave up three runs in five innings against the Phillies in a game the Diamondbacks lost, 7-1, at Chase Field on the previous homestand. … The outing stopped a four-start streak for Rodriguez in which he had allowed two or fewer runs each time. … Rodriguez has struggled against the Astros in his career, posting a 6.67 ERA in 12 starts. He did pitch well against them last season, however, firing 6⅓ scoreless innings. … Lambert has allowed two or fewer earned runs in 10 of his past 11 starts and 15 of 17. … In 19 career innings against the Diamondbacks, he has posted a 3.79 ERA, albeit with more walks (13) than strikeouts (11). … He averages 93.9 mph with his four-seam fastball. He also throws a changeup, slider, cutter, sinker, sweeper and slurve.